About Barbour ABI
Construction Analysts
Barbour ABI was founded to support the UK construction industry – helping businesses to sustain and grow. We are the exclusive provider of New Orders Estimates to the Office for National Statistics and partner to the Infrastructure & Projects Authority in providing the National Infrastructure and Construction Pipeline.
As the market leading provider of construction project information, we strive to allow our clients to access the very best, most accurate and up-to-date data on construction projects and the key decision makers that are involved.
Not only do we generate construction project leads, but we also are able to inform the industry of the latest trends and developments using our data to analyse and form a complete picture of the past, present and future.
We consider current affairs and their impact on our industry, where the opportunities and threats lie, and therefore how our clients can future-proof themselves.
Our mission is to provide our clients with the best experience and that the service and product we provide is an extension of their own business and something they can’t do without.
[edit] Contributions
- Construction contract awards plummet for second consecutive month, intensifying concerns for housing and infrastructure goals
- Construction contract awards down £1bn
- Construction contract awards remain buoyant but residential struggles
- UK Construction contract spending up 69% in new year
- Infrastructure sector posts second consecutive triple digit gain in October
- Construction contract awards provide relief in the wake of ISG collapse
- London construction cools as hotspots appear nationally
- Election fails to spark construction industry revival
- Planning approvals increased by 20% in June ahead of Labour’s new drive for housebuilding
- Construction contract awards jump to £7.3bn in May as uncertainty continues
- Homeowners turn to green energy upgrades as home improvement activity declines
- New engineering data shows over £52bn of projects were awarded to top 50 firms in the last year
- [1]Residential takes the reins from infrastructure as contract awards even out
- Construction industry revs engines in January
- UK Construction saw an £11.1bn fall in spending in 2023
- Education and Health applications shine in subdued construction October market
- Subdued planning environment figures provide scant hope for house-building targets
- April turn for the worse, for construction, as market seesawing continues
- New energy rules, a threat to towns and cities across UK
- Infrastructure tumbles, adding to construction industry woes
Featured articles and news
The Home Energy Model and its wrappers
From SAP to HEM, EPC for MEES and FHS assessment wrappers.
Future Homes Standard Essentials launched
Future Homes Hub launches new campaign to help the homebuilding sector prepare for the implementation of new building standards.
Building Safety recap February, 2026
Our regular run-down of key building safety related events of the month.
Planning reform: draft NPPF and industry responses.
Last chance to comment on proposed changes to the NPPF.
A Regency palace of colour and sensation. Book review.
Delayed, derailed and devalued
How the UK’s planning crisis is undermining British manufacturing.
How much does it cost to build a house?
A brief run down of key considerations from a London based practice.
The need for a National construction careers campaign
Highlighted by CIOB to cut unemployment, reduce skills gap and deliver on housing and infrastructure ambitions.
AI-Driven automation; reducing time, enhancing compliance
Sustainability; not just compliance but rethinking design, material selection, and the supply chains to support them.
Climate Resilience and Adaptation In the Built Environment
New CIOB Technical Information Sheet by Colin Booth, Professor of Smart and Sustainable Infrastructure.
Turning Enquiries into Profitable Construction Projects
Founder of Develop Coaching and author of Building Your Future; Greg Wilkes shares his insights.
IHBC Signpost: Poetry from concrete
Scotland’s fascinating historic concrete and brutalist architecture with the Engine Shed.
Demonstrating that apprenticeships work for business, people and Scotland’s economy.
Scottish parents prioritise construction and apprenticeships
CIOB data released for Scottish Apprenticeship Week shows construction as top potential career path.
From a Green to a White Paper and the proposal of a General Safety Requirement for construction products.
Creativity, conservation and craft at Barley Studio. Book review.
The challenge as PFI agreements come to an end
How construction deals with inherited assets built under long-term contracts.
Skills plan for engineering and building services
Comprehensive industry report highlights persistent skills challenges across the sector.
Choosing the right design team for a D&B Contract
An architect explains the nature and needs of working within this common procurement route.
Statement from the Interim Chief Construction Advisor
Thouria Istephan; Architect and inquiry panel member outlines ongoing work, priorities and next steps.