Commenting on the January construction output figures published by the ONS, Michael Thirkettle, Chief Executive of leading interdisciplinary international construction and property consultancy McBains Cooper, said:
“Today’s figures show a second successive fall in output, which is bad news not only for the construction industry but also for the government’s housing targets and those desperate to get on the property ladder.
“We are seeing the uncertainty around Brexit delay investment decisions, which is dampening the market. At the same time, the sector is desperately short of skilled workers – particularly bricklayers, carpenters and electricians. If the UK leaves the EU, construction companies fear they would lose access to the pool of skills from Europe that they are relying on – making a bad situation worse.”