Construction output reaches all-time high

Construction output grew 11.9% last year to reach an all-time high of £83.5bn, according to the latest figures from the Department of Trade & Industry.

In new build only one sector posted a year-on-year fall: the private industrial market slipped 8.8% to £3.3bn. Public housing was up 19.2% to £1.7bn, private housing increased 17.7% to £10.3bn and infrastructure passed through the £8bn barrier.

The other public sector boasts the highest year-on-year increase of 28.8%, taking it to £6.8bn. Private commercial did not suffer the same fate as private industrial, posting a 10.3% increase to fall just a tad short of £15bn.

The repair, maintenance and improvement (RMI) sector improved by 10% overall. However the breakdown reveals that public housing RMI dropped year-on-year by 3.2% to £6.4bn. Private housing RMI on the other hand was up 16% to £12.7bn.

Other public RMI was up 9.8% to £6.7bn, while other private RMI increased 12.2% to £12.3bn.

Construction output 2002

Public housing £1,714m (2001: £1,319m)

Private housing £10,358m (£8,666m)

Infrastructure £8,085m (£6,453m)

Other public £6,870m (£4,854m)

Private industrial £3,374m (£3,716m)

Private commercial £14,969m (£12,653m)

Public housing RMI £6,412m (£6,552m)

Private housing RMI £12,758m (£10,354m)

Other public RMI £6,712m (£5,685m)

Other private RMI £12,340m (£9,424m)