The UK construction sector saw steady growth in Q2, according to the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).
Total construction output rose by 1.2% between April and June compared with the first three months of the year.
Within that, new work edged up by 1.1% and repair and maintenance activity increased by 1.4%.
On a monthly basis, output grew by 0.3% in June, offsetting some of the 0.5% decline recorded in May.
This follows a stronger rise of 0.9% in April.
June’s growth was driven entirely by repair and maintenance, which rose by 1.2%, while new work contracted by 0.4%.
Looking more closely at the sectors, five of the nine tracked industries recorded growth during June.
The strongest contributions came from private housing repair and maintenance, which expanded by 3.7%, and non-housing repair and maintenance, up by 0.8%.
However, the picture for new orders was less positive. Across the quarter, new orders fell sharply by 8.3%, a drop of £976 million compared with the first quarter of the year.
The decline was led by weakness in infrastructure projects and private commercial work, underlining a more cautious outlook for future construction activity.
