Housing spend increased output 12% in Q2

Construction output increased 12% in the second quarter to £25.2bn compared with £22.6bn in the same period a year ago.

Output from new build increased from £12.1bn to £14.3bn. Of the six new build sectors, five enjoyed growth. Public and private housing output grew 36% and 34% respectively, while other public increased 26%. Private industrial grew 13% and private commercial 16%.

However, the infrastructure sector slipped year-on-year for the sixth quarter on the trot, falling back 11% in Q2 to £1.6bn.

Output from repair, maintenance and improvement increased from £10.5bn to £10.8bn. Public housing RMI output increased 11% to cross the £2bn barrier. However, private housing RMI increased just 3%, while other private RMI was up just 1%. Other public RMI was static.

In the first half, total output is up 22% from £23.2bn to £28.3bn.

Construction output Q2 2004 (Q2 2003 in brackets)

• Public housing £695m (£510m)
• Private housing £4,156m (£3,099m)
• Infrastructure £1,678m (£1,886m)
• Other public £2,649m (£2,104m)
• Private industrial £972m (£862m)
• Private commercial £4,223m (£3,645m)
• Public housing RMI £2,037m (£1,829m)
• Private housing RMI £3,565m (£3,472m)
• Other public RMI £1,889m (£1,898m)
• Other private RMI £3,345m (£3,304m)
• Total £25,208m (£22,608m)