Skip to main content

Value of UK construction projects up 67.1% in past year

The value of construction projects in the UK has shot up by 67.1% in the last year, according to a new report. New project contracts awarded in December 2013 totalled €7.31 billion (£6 billion), compared to €4.38 billion (£3.6 billion) in the same month in 2012. The infrastructure sector proved to be an area of significant growth last month, with the total value of projects awarded reaching €2.68 billion (£2.2 billion), a 10.6% increase from November 2013 and a huge 101.6% year-on-year growth.
January 24, 2014 Read time: 3 mins
The value of construction projects in the UK has shot up by 67.1% in the last year, according to a new report. New project contracts awarded in December 2013 totalled €7.31 billion (£6 billion), compared to €4.38 billion (£3.6 billion) in the same month in 2012.

The infrastructure sector proved to be an area of significant growth last month, with the total value of projects awarded reaching €2.68 billion (£2.2 billion), a 10.6% increase from November 2013 and a huge 101.6% year-on-year growth.

These latest figures, taken from Barbour ABI's Economic & Construction Market Review, also highlight sustained growth in the residential construction sector, which continues to be boosted by initiatives such as the Government's Help to Buy scheme. The total contract value for December in this sector grew by 88.2% year-on-year.

On the findings of the report, Michael Dall, lead economist at Barbour ABI, said, "Residential construction remained strong throughout the latter half of 2013 and has truly spurred on the growth of the industry. In the most part, the increase in residential activity can be attributed to the Government's Help to Buy scheme, but there are concerns that demand created by such schemes will surpass the rate of house building. This is a topic that will be the source of major debate over the next 12 months in the lead up to the 2015 elections.

"The performance of infrastructure as a sub-sector is also incredibly encouraging. The figures are a reflection of an exciting year of renewed optimism for the construction industry and, as a major contributor to figures for the industry as a whole, the sustained period of strong project values in this sector is good news and a key indicator for future growth.

"The National Infrastructure Plan, as published by the Government on December 4th 2013, updated the top 40 infrastructure projects in the pipeline for the UK, outlining a pathway for potential growth. An increase in new orders data recorded by Barbour ABI encourages me to suggest that the sector does have strong growth potential this year."

As well as highlighting key sub-sector trends within the construction industry, data in the report also identifies regional variations in overall construction performance. Last month, Wales took the lead as the most prominent area, accounting for 19% of the UK total. This is largely attributable to an €975.27 million (£800 million) waste treatment project announced in Clwyd, providing a huge boost to the figures. London accounted for 18% of all contracts awarded, while Yorkshire and the Humber and the South East were not too far behind, each accounting for 13% and 12% of the total respectively.

The Economic & Construction Market Review is a monthly report designed to give valuable, current insight into UK construction industry performance. The Review is compiled from Barbour ABI's records of construction data for every UK planning application, and key indicators, such as the 3598 Office for National Statistics' Construction New Orders data.

The Economic and Construction Market Review will be published monthly and is available to download at %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 oLinkExternal http://bit.ly/1eUKB9P download at - http://bit.ly/1eUKB9P false http://bit.ly/1eUKB9P false false%>

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Beijing’s BICES 2013 exhibition gets ready for record exhibitors and visitors
    January 6, 2017
    The 12th Beijing International Construction Machinery Exhibition & Seminar (BICES 2013) is set to have a record 1,500 exhibitors covering an area of 230,000m2. Numbers of both domestic and international visitors are also expected to grow. Overall, BICES 2013 expects to attract more than 130,000 visitors. The organisers of BICES 2013 were at bauma to promote this October’s event and give an update about the plans. BICES will be held at the Beijing Jiuhua International Exhibition Centre from 15-18 October 201
  • Beijing’s BICES 2013 exhibition gets ready for record exhibitors and visitors
    April 18, 2013
    The 12th Beijing International Construction Machinery Exhibition & Seminar (BICES 2013) is set to have a record 1,500 exhibitors covering an area of 230,000m2. Numbers of both domestic and international visitors are also expected to grow. Overall, BICES 2013 expects to attract more than 130,000 visitors. The organisers of BICES 2013 were at bauma to promote this October’s event and give an update about the plans. BICES will be held at the Beijing Jiuhua International Exhibition Centre from 15-18 October 201
  • Equipment firm Wacker Neuson posts bullish results
    March 31, 2014
    Munich-based equipment manufacturer Wacker Neuson reports an increase in Group revenue and profitability in 2013. This has been achieved in spite of tough trading conditions and having met its targets for 2013, the firm aims to remain on track in 2014. The company achieved €1.16 billion in revenue and says it managed to boost market penetration of light and compact equipment in its core European and US markets. It also developed specific new markets. Group revenue rose 6% to €1.16 billion, compared with nea
  • French construction market up 5%?
    September 20, 2019
    The French construction market could grow by up to 5% in 2019, up from 3.1% last year, according to a recent report. Major infrastructure projects will continue to boost activity, including the country’s motorway building programme, the Greater Paris project of improved roads and other amenities and the French ultra-high-speed broadband plan. Activity in the French public works sector in general is expected to continue to rise at a rate of 10% in 2019, noted the report by Evolis, the French constructi