Worst construction performance should set alarm bells ringing, warns FMB
Posted: Monday, March 10th, 2025
According to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), urgent action is needed to address the slump in construction output demonstrated in S&P Global/CIPS UK Construction PMI data for February 2025. This data shows the fastest downturn since the start of the pandemic. Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the FMB, commented: “Today’s figures only confirm the alarming trend builders across the UK have been experiencing for months. We’re seeing construction output falling at its fastest rate in almost five years, at the heart of the pandemic, and with input cost inflation also rising fast, already fragile market confidence is likely to take yet another hit.” This echoes the FMB’s State of Trade Survey for Q4 2024, which found workloads, enquiries, and employment numbers were all down and that materials costs were rising fast. With New Work down sharply, particularly in the house-building segment, FMB is pressing the Government to take urgent action to reassure builders and consumers that they are serious about meeting their targets. “Urgent steps are needed to diversify the housing market, and allow SME builders to step up and build the homes on the smaller sites which the major volume housebuilders can’t reach,” he says. “We need to see greater resources given to local authority planning departments to support the small builders ready to deliver the homes we need."
Trending Stories
-
Essex electrician has roundabout signs rejected
A sparkie’s bid to sponsor signs on two roundabouts has been refused by planning chiefs who described them as “clutter”
-
Barbie caused a ‘worldwide’ shortage of pink paint
Barbie needed so much fluorescent pink paint that it caused a worldwide supply shortage for an entire company
-
Builders find body of man murdered in the 1960s and buried in back garden
A woman who bought a South London house was left horrified after builders discovered the body of a man murdered in the 1960s and buried in her garden 14 months after she moved in
-
'Government insulation scheme ruined my home'
A home-owner said his flat has been ruined by black mould caused by a government "green" insulation schem
-
Builder celebrates lottery win by buying his coworkers bacon butties
A builder from Milford Haven who won big on the lottery celebrated his victory by treating all his workmates to a round of bacon rolls
Comments
Add a comment