Outside as winter -time bites

Construction production decreased by 0.2 percent in January, because the weak weather slowed down, according to the Office for National Statistics (ON).

It was the second successive month in which the production decreased by 0.2 percent.

The decline of January was due to a decrease in new works, only growing repairs and maintenance during that period.

ONS said that the anecdotal samples in the polls attributed the fall of heavy rain, snow and storms that hit the UK during the month.

Storm éowyn reached the end of January and affected the central belt of Scotland, with 100 km / h winds registered in Drumalbin, Lanarkshire.

At the same time, Wales and Southern England were hit by the Herminia storm, which Sir Robert McCine was blamed for dislocating the Hilton Hotel and the Woking Conference Center, Surrey.

Industry commentators have also indicated other factors that affect the industry, except weather.

The head of the energy and infrastructure of Aldemore Bank, Lauren Pamma, said: “The construction industry has registered several difficult months since the beginning of the new year.

“Enterprises are facing increased supply costs and increasing energy, fuel and salary costs, which continue to prevent growth.

“The perspective for the next year is not currently unclear, especially with the recent geopolitical landscape and the uncertainty around the cross -border rates.

“These could disrupt the supply chains that move, and the countries that avoid (recently imposed) American rates by reallocating goods to other markets could have a negative impact on competing British goods on these markets.”

The chief of the program, the management of projects and costs of AECOM, Scott Motley, said: “A negative (ONS) of reading the height Other Barometers in Industry and confirms the notable slowdown seen since the beginning of the year. “

But he said that the government growth strategy should bring hope to the industry.

Motley added: “The much-drawn planning and infrastructure project is the most significant change to a long-term infrastructure strategy, properly supported, in a generation.

“The draft law should eventually facilitate a larger investment in the private sector – the need for which it is likely to focus even more accentuated, as the Chancellor can look at more discounts on financing the local authority before the spring statement (on March 26).”

Ons said that in the three months until January 2025, construction production increased by 0.4 percent, a new work representing most of the growth.