In Great Britain, the construction industry output volume in non-seasonally adjusted, constant (2005) prices, is estimated to have decreased 10.1 percent in July this year, compared to the same month of the previous year, according to a report released by the UK-based Office for National Statistics (ONS).
In particular, the volume of construction output decreased by 10 percent, while new work decreased by 14.2 percent and new public housing decreased by 22.4 percent, all comparing the three months from May to July 2012 with the same three months one year ago.
Meanwhile, the latest quarterly ONS figures show that new orders for construction remained at a depressed level in the second quarter of 2012, despite having risen 1.5 percent in the first half of 2012 compared to the same period one year earlier.
Commenting on the figures, UK-based Construction Products Association's (CPA) economics director Noble Francis said, "With new orders at such historic lows, it is imperative that government does more to stimulate construction and the economy. Despite numerous announcements and initiatives from government over the past 12 months, the private sector recovery remains sluggish, as public sector investment falls sharply. The economic recovery will only return when investment is made, therefore government must decide its priority between its current and capital spending whilst at the same time provide a robust model to attract private finance."