The amount of new social housing construction work has plummeted 25 per cent in a year, official government figures show.
The Office for National Statistics published figures on Friday showing the volume of new work in the public housing sector in April to June fell 7.6 per cent compared to the previous quarter and 25 per cent compared to the same period in 2011.
Public housing sector work dropped from £1.15 billion in April to June 2011 to £865,000 in the same period this year. The decrease in private housing work was much smaller. It fell from £3.5 billion to £3.3 billion, a decrease of 6.6 per cent.
The figures show that the total volume of construction output fell by 9.5 per cent year-on-year, and 3.9 per cent quarter on quarter.
Noble Francis, economics director at the Construction Products Association, said: ‘Looking at these figures, it is very hard to find anything positive to say in any part of construction. This situation is rapidly becoming a crisis and at this rate I wouldn't be surprised if manufacturers begin to shut down their operations and lay people off.’
Inside Housing
