Construction contracts rise but uncertainty continues – says Barbour ABI

Contract awards in construction were up 5% in May driven by a huge rebound in infrastructure projects and hotels, leisure and sport according to the latest analysis from Barbour ABI. 

Infrastructure awards jumped 86% to £1.4bn after a dip in April whilst contracts awarded for the north stand extension of the Etihad Stadium were behind a 164% increase in the leisure industry.  

But it wasn’t all good news with housing developments remaining stagnant whilst awards in London fell by 44%. 

Residential approvals were also down 10% from last month, continuing a disappointing year.

Barbour ABI head of business and client analytics, Ed Griffiths, said: “It has been another strong month for awards. 

“Residential remains stagnant sitting just below the Q1 2024 average of £2.1bn but above the 2023 yearly average of £1.9bn. 

“The upcoming election may offer hope for the built environment, but any policy announcements will likely take a while until shovels are in the ground. 

“A possible change in government could focus spending and confidence on a number of sectors, particularly housing and renewable energy.”

Elsewhere, planning applications fell 16% from March to April with infrastructure down 62% - its worst performance since April last year. 

However, Industrial related applications had a promising month with a 281% increase from March, driven by works at Stansted Airport in the East of England, almost reaching the highs of last December. 

Education also performed well with a 74% increase, mostly driven by a large development of student accommodation at the University of Bristol. 

Looking across the industry Barbour ABI said “a clear picture is difficult to discern” as various sub sectors rise and fall dramatically from month to month. 

The report added: “This could be interpreted as a holding pattern ahead of the election or a signal that a great deal of uncertainty still remains in the UK economy. 

“Many in the industry will no doubt be hoping things settle down in the second half of the year once the election results have been confirmed.”