Office construction sector 'still suffering'

Office design news from Morgan Lovell

Published on 07-01-2011

The UK office construction sector is continuing to suffer after the poor weather in recent weeks and financial difficulties of the last 12 months put many projects on hold, it has been revealed.

Brian Berry, director of external affairs at the Federation of Master Builders, said many developments have been hit hard in recent months and the ongoing financial pressure being placed on the sector by government austerity measures means there is unlikely to be any respite in the near future.

He commented: "Even the larger contractors are suffering as a result of government cutbacks and they are obviously reducing their staffing levels. Everyone is predicting that 2011 will be a very tough year overall for construction."

According to the Markit/Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply (CIPS) UK Construction PMI for December 2010, there was a marginal decrease of activity in the UK construction sector, ending a nine-month period of growth.

As a result, the seasonally adjusted index posted 49.1, falling from November's 51.8.

Posted by Paul Kelly