Barbour ABI Blog

Cutting Through the Noise to Clarify Construction Data

by Tom Hall

The recent Construction Index article “Data gatherers differ in their diagnoses” appears to have got some key data points confused.

What is clear is that firstly, there are a lot of statistics out there and secondly, construction is a very challenging beast to understand – not least when there are so many external factors at play in the wider economy.

Approvals are up but starts are down? Applications are down but contract awards are up? In such volatile times, it is possible to cherry-pick certain stats to suit any argument. However, at Barbour ABI we do our best to provide the fullest information overlaid with our views.

When we’re confident activity is up, we call it that way and vice versa. That’s why we’ve been giving the message for some months now that there’s no single trend at the moment pointing to a clear way forward. The ONS’ construction output has held up well over the first quarter of 2023 and there’s varying activity in planning. Some other leading indicators are very much in negative territory, especially around the residential sector, but some aren’t. And of course, we should be positive that, in uncertain conditions, there remains high underlying demand for construction.

In these challenging times, predicting the future is difficult. But, what doesn’t help, is mixing data sets incorrectly or using one sector as a proxy for the whole industry, as sector by sector performance varies dramatically. Our latest Snap Analysis puts the performance figures cited into the broader context and shows a different story to the one implied.

About the author

Picture of Tom Hall

Tom Hall

Chief Economist at Barbour ABI & AMA Research

Tom is Chief Economist at Barbour ABI and AMA Research, providing analysis and economic insight for construction and its related sectors. Tom has over a decade of experience in a variety of strategic and economic roles and joined the team in early 2019.

Offering bespoke research and tailored analysis to our clients, Tom also speaks at industry events and works closely with journalists and other industry bodies to provide commentary on the built environment.

Recent News

Barbour ABI Blog

Categories:

Barbour ABI Blog

Categories:

Barbour ABI Blog

Categories:

Claim your 10 free project leads today

Get a Free Trial

Just fill in your details below and a member of our team will give you a call.

Get your 10 free project leads today

Book a Demo

Helping Contractors

Win More Business

Get in touch with us and see how we can help you win more work.

FIND YOUR

10 FREE

PROJECT LEADS TODAY

Barbour ABI White Logo

Place of registration: Barbour ABI Limited Company number: 13427982, Registered office: 5th Floor, 133 Houndsditch, London, EC3A 7BX