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The Office for National Statistics estimates that GB construction output fell by 0.6% in May 2025.

This follows three consecutive months of growth, including an increase of 0.8% in April 2025.

The decrease in monthly output in May 2025 came solely from a decline in repair & maintenance activity, which fell by 2.1%, as new work increased by 0.6%.

The main sub-sectors that contributed to May’s monthly decrease were non-housing repair & maintenance, and private housing repair & maintenance, which fell by 2.4% and 1.8%, respectively.

Over the three month period of March to May, however, total construction output is estimated to have grown by 1.2%, new work up by 0.9%, and repair & maintenance by 1.5%.

Scott Motley, head of programme, project and cost management at Aecom, commented: “A dip in output, particularly after a positive couple of months, will come as a disappointment for many contractors. However, there is hope that recent government commitments and the warmer weather will support steady growth in the coming months.

“The government’s new five step plan for social and affordable housing and the £39bn commitment for a new 10-year affordable homes programme has been a welcome commitment. This is a real opportunity for the housing sector to demonstrate it can deliver national growth. However, where funding gaps still linger, and projects carry significant risk, there remains opportunity for local authorities and developers to leverage public-private partnerships to scale up delivery of the homes we desperately need.”

Clive Docwra, managing director of property and construction consultancy McBains, said: “After last month’s figures showed the construction sector outperformed the overall economy in April, today’s news will disappoint the industry and increase doubts that growth is on an upward trajectory.

“The industry will note that the fall in growth in May was down to less repair & maintenance work, as new work orders increased by 0.6% in May.  However, growth is still relatively sluggish and order books are still playing catch up, so the hope is that recent announcements such as the £39bn funding to build more affordable homes will provide a confidence boost when the sector most needs it, given the ongoing uncertain global economic picture.”

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