State of UK construction 2013
It's easy to get confused by monthly figures and short-term trends. Here we take the long view, assessing construction output now compared to the last ten years.
The graph below is based on the chained volume measure of construction output in Great Britain: 2010 prices, non-seasonally adjusted - by sector, published by the Office for National Statistics on 9 August 2013. The dotted lines indicate the average output for each area over the last 10 years.
Whilst each area has shown some recovery in the last quarter, the overall picture is still 9% below the 10 year average and 16% below the 10 year peak.
New infrastructure works continue to prop up the industry, with output 18% above the ten year average, although with the post-credit crunch stimulus in decline, new infrastructure works are now 18% lower than their 2011 peak.
Housing has shown a dramatic increase in the last quarter, returning almost to its average level, although it remains 21% below its pre credit crunch peak.
Commercial and industrial construction remains 20% below the ten year average, despite gains in the last quarter, and repairs and maintenance are 9% below the ten year average, continuing what appears to be a long-term decline.
Overall, there are reasons for optimism, but there is a long way to go.
IHBC NewsBlog
IHBC sponsors Gardens Trust event 23-4 Sept 2026
.jpeg)
'Learning from the Past, Shaping the Future’ takes place in Milton Keynes
Renovations to Frank Lloyd Wright's Fallingwater complete
.jpg)
World Heritage Preserved project opens house for tours again
Shakespeare Birthplace Trust places Hall's Croft on HAR Register
Stratford-upon-Avon home of Shakespeare's daughter is 'At Risk'
Lady Grange’s House repaired on St Kilda
.jpg)
National Trust for Scotland repairs stone cleit with link to famous island resident
Griff Rhys Jones on BBC Radio 4 Today programme
,_Green_Lane,_Derby.jpg)
The Victorian Society’s President unveiled its latest Top Ten Endangered Buildings 2026.
Need a MATE? Book your place now.
IHBC offers free webinars on applying for IHBC accreditation (Full & Associate).
UK Stained Glass Repository finds windows new homes
How are stained glass windows are rescued, stored and repurposed?
APPGEBE report sets high aims for quality
'Government must not sacrifice quality in drive to build 1.5m homes'
New measures protect Historic Shipwrecks from heritage crime
Underwater cultural heritage benefits from new HE guidance
How could the City of London skyline look in 6 years' time?
Visualisation shows approved planning applications as completed buildings
National Trust for Scotland calls for VAT cuts
Heritage neglect is encouraged by current policies
IHBC's 'Context' Issue 186 features Industrial Heritage
IHBC's members' journal reports on the challenges of conserving infrastructure
Book now for IHBC Annual School 2026
IHBC Annual School is taking place 18-20 June 2026 in Newcastle
RICHeS Research Infrastructure offers ‘Full Access Fund Call’
RICHeS offers a ‘Help’ webinar on 11 March
Latest IHBC Issue of Context features Roofing
Articles range from slate to pitched roofs, and carbon impact to solar generation to roofscapes
Three reasons not to demolish Edinburgh’s Argyle House
Should 'Edinburgh's ugliest building' be saved?
IHBC’s 2025 Parliamentary Briefing...from Crafts in Crisis to Rubbish Retrofit
IHBC launches research-led ‘5 Commitments to Help Heritage Skills in Conservation’
How RDSAP 10.2 impacts EPC assessments in traditional buildings
Energy performance certificates (EPCs) tell us how energy efficient our buildings are, but the way these certificates are generated has changed.
Comments
To start a discussion about this article, click 'Add a comment' above and add your thoughts to this discussion page.