Steepest Downturn in UK Construction Output for 5.5 Years

November 2025 data pointed to the steepest downturn in output levels across the construction sector amid widespread reports of challenging market conditions.

New orders also decreased to the greatest extent since May 2020. Many construction companies commented on weak client confidence, alongside delayed spending decisions linked to uncertainty ahead of the Budget.

Steepest Downturn

At 39.4 in November, down from 44.1 in October, the headline S&P Global UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index™ (PMI®) – a seasonally adjusted index tracking changes in total industry activity – was the lowest since May 2020. Lower volumes of construction output have now been recorded for 11 months in a row.

Sub-sector data showed that housing activity (index at 35.4), commercial construction (43.8) and civil engineering (30.0) all experienced the fastest downturns in activity for five-and-a-half years. Survey respondents commented on fragile market confidence, delays with the release of new projects and a general lack of incoming new work.

Total New Business

Total new business decreased at a rapid pace in November. Around 44% of the survey panel reported a fall in new orders, while only 17% signalled an increase. Aside from the pandemic, the resulting seasonally adjusted New Orders Index pointed to the fastest downturn in new work since early-2009.

Construction companies commented on sales headwinds due to risk aversion among clients, worries about the UK economic outlook and elevated business uncertainty ahead of the Budget.

Employment

Employment numbers across the construction sector decreased for the eleventh consecutive month in November, reflecting a lack of new work to replace completed projects and elevated wage pressures. The latest fall in staffing levels was the steepest since August 2020.

Subcontractors

Subcontractor usage also decreased, as has been the case in each month since December 2024.

Supplier performance meanwhile improved solidly in November and to the greatest extent since June 2024. Survey respondents noted that softer demand for construction products and materials had helped to alleviate supply chain pressures, although some firms cited ongoing challenges with shipping delays.

Latest data also indicated that overall buying activity dropped at the steepest pace for five-and-a-half years.

Cost burdens increased at an accelerated pace in November, but the speed of inflation remained well below the long-run survey average. Anecdotal evidence pointed to higher prices paid for a range of items, especially electrical components, copper products and insulation.

Outlook

Looking ahead, the proportion of construction companies expecting an upturn in business activity in the next 12 months (31%) narrowly exceeded those forecasting a decline (25%). The resulting Future Activity Index signalled the lowest degree of optimism since December 2022.

Some firms commented on hopes of a rebound in general market conditions and support from lower borrowing costs. However, this was offset by signs of cutbacks to clients’ investment spending plans and concerns about long-term domestic economic prospects.

COMMENTARY

Tim Moore, Economics Director at S&P Global Market Intelligence, said: “November data revealed a sharp retrenchment across the UK construction sector as weak client confidence and a shortfall of new project starts again weighed on activity.

Tim Moore, Economics Director at IHS Markit

“Total industry activity decreased to the greatest extent for five-and-a-half years, led by steep falls in infrastructure and residential building work. Commercial construction also faced severe headwinds during November as business uncertainty in the run up to the Budget pushed clients to defer investment decisions.

“Lower workloads, alongside pressure on margins from rising wages and purchasing costs, continued to dampen staff hiring in November. The latest round of job cuts was the most marked since August 2020.”

“Construction companies also signalled a slide in business activity expectations for the year ahead as hopes of an imminent rebound in sales pipelines faded in November. The degree of optimism dropped to its lowest since December 2022 amid reports of cutbacks to client budgets and pervasive worries about long-term UK economic growth prospects.”

Seriously Amiss

Dr David Crosthwaite, BCIS chief economist, said: “If the latest construction PMI isn’t setting off alarm bells in Parliament, something’s seriously amiss.

Dr David Crosthwaite, BCIS Chief Economist

“The steepest downturn in UK construction activity in five-and-a-half years, including eleven consecutive months of decline this year, is no fluke. It mirrors an industry battling low client confidence, stifled demand and skills bottlenecks compounded by a limited financial ability to recruit.

“According to insight from the latest BCIS All-in Tender Price Index Panel, sentiment surveys are often a temperature check of construction’s SMEs where government data is more reflective of larger contractor outputs. If that’s the case, the latest PMI suggests current government actions are not enough and still failing the near-900,000 SMEs in construction.

“Increasing the cost of doing business in the Budget now feels even more like a step in the wrong direction.”

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