A monthly snapshot of the UK construction industry covering contract awards, planning approvals, and applications by sector, featuring expert commentary and detailed data visualisations.
Previously available as a downloadable PDF, our Construction Industry Monthly Snapshot is now published directly on our website. This change makes the report easier to access, share, and revisit — no downloads or subscriptions required.
Accessible anytime, the Construction Industry Monthly Snapshot offers a more seamless and interactive experience – keeping you closely connected to the insights that matter most.
Another fall in contract award value drops March to below the 2024 average and almost £1bn less this month last year. Infrastructure failed to continue its positive streak but there was hope from the residential sector. A good portion of this value came from student accommodation but these can count towards housing delivery targets.
As expected, the 2025 Spring Statement focusing on tackling increased skill shortages with a £625m investment, housing targets with a £2bn investment and an intention of increased capital spending, with £13bn to be spent on infrastructure projects.
However, the economic outlook is challenging with the UK growth forecast halving to 1% and concerns around inflation. Additionally, tariffs from the US could lead to price volatility causing more risk to contractors.
Hotel, Leisure & Sport sees its strongest month since May 2024, rising 108% since last month to £620m. The top award for this sector is the £250m Newtown Railway Works Redevelopment in Kent.
It was a positive month for Commercial & Retail, increasing from an already positive February to £1.4bn with the £600m Euston Tower refurbishment topping the list.
Despite an increase in Residential, the sector still sits below the 2024 average at £1.6bn, particularly disappointing after such a positive January.
Most sectors declined in value but a strong month from Residential kept overall approval value stable.
Residential saw a positive bounce back after a disappointing February with 5 projects over £100m in London and the South East.
Infrastructure dipped from a particularly strong February but remains solid with large energy projects like the North Lincolnshire 95MW Green Energy Park.
Medical & Healthcare struggled this month dipping 67% to £60m from February and sitting 75% down from the 2024 average. Yorkshire & The Humber declined 62% from the previous month to £350m after a really strong start to the year.
Despite a flat monthly change overall, individual sectors saw large fluctuations.
Industrial saw a huge increase to £3.7bn mainly due to £2.5bn Battery Manufacturing Facility at Coventry Airport. Although, even without this Industrial has had a positive month.
It has been a poor month for Infrastructure, down 60% on January and 50% on the 2024 average with a disappointing £1.7bn.
Given a reduction in Infrastructure applications , Scotland struggled in February and was down 59% on January and 38% down on the 2024 average at £460m.
A monthly snapshot of the UK construction industry covering contract awards, planning approvals, and applications by sector, featuring expert commentary and detailed data visualizations.
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The Construction Industry Monthly Snapshot acts as a leading indicator of current and future activity in the construction industry. All values provided are at current prices, expressed in £bn unless stated otherwise and are non-seasonally adjusted.
The RSI is an index that measures current activity levels relative to
the last 5 years. It is presented on a scale of 0-100, where:
● 0 is no activity,
● 100 is the maximum possible activity, and
● 50 is the average level of activity.
The sectors that are included in the Construction Industry Monthly Snapshot are:
Our January edition of the snapshot features a review of the construction industry in 2024. This edition contains even more insight on the industry’s performance, including additional expert commentary, comprehensive data tables and concise visualisations.
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Place of registration: Barbour ABI Limited Company number: 13427982, Registered office: 5th Floor, 133 Houndsditch, London, EC3A 7BX
