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Latest bulletin from the Office for National Statistics shows that monthly construction output in Great Britain is estimated to have grown by 0.9% in April 2025.

This is the third consecutive month of growth for the industry, following increases of 0.5% in March and 0.2% in February.

The increase in monthly output in April 2025 came from increases in both new work and repair and maintenance, which grew by 1.4% and 0.3%, respectively.

Infrastructure new work and private housing repair & maintenance were the fastest growing sectors, rising by 2.0% and 1.5%, respectively.

In the three months to April 2025, total construction output is estimated to have grown by 0.5%, with new work up by 0.9%, and repair & maintenance up by just 0.1%.

Construction’s performance outstripped the wider economy.  ONS estimates that monthly real gross domestic product (GDP) in Great Britian fell by 0.3% in April, following growth of 0.2% in March.

Clive Docwra, managing director of property and construction consultancy McBains, commented: “Today’s figures are better than many expected, especially given they buck the overall economic picture, and will give hope that the construction sector’s recovery may be starting to generate some impetus.

“New work orders increasing by 1.4%, and infrastructure output specifically growing by 2%, are particularly encouraging.

“The industry will still be cautious given the global economic picture – not least uncertainty over what may happen next with President Trump’s tariffs – having a knock-on effect on investment decisions.  However, yesterday’s spending review’s announcement of new money for social and affordable housing and infrastructure projects will give a welcome confidence boost to a number of work sectors.

“The sector will also be hoping for an interest rate cut next week which would help trigger more investment at a time when continued momentum is still needed.”

The ONS numbers are in stark contrast to the monthly survey of construction purchasing managers produced by S&P Global. These have shown construction activity continuing to decline in every month of 2025 so far, although May’s reading of 47.9 (where anything below 50.0 indicates contraction) was its highest since January’s 48.1.

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