Economic certainty needed to bolster builders, says FMB
Posted: Tuesday, March 18th, 2025
The 0.2% fall in construction output in January 2025, according to new figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), is another indicator that the economy is struggling despite the government’s strong commitment to backing development, declares the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, notes that winter is always a challenging period for the construction sector. Still, it remains concerning to see another 0.2% decline, following the 0.2% decline previously recorded for December. “With the wider UK economy also contracting in the first month of 2025, it is a worrying time for all the building trades. Builders will look forward to some spring sunshine to ensure they can get cracking on their jobs and hope that consumers will be more willing to commit to projects.” Despite the overall slowdown, the 0.4% growth in the repair and maintenance work is an encouraging signal demonstrating the crucial role that small builders play in boosting the UK economy. Local builders comprise the vast majority of the building industry, and they require a stable economic climate to thrive. He concludes, “Hopefully, the forthcoming Spring Statement from the Chancellor will help kick-start the economy and encourage more consumers to spend."
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