The ONS said the decrease came from a fall in both new work (2.3% decrease) and repair and maintenance (1.4% decrease), which according to anecdotal evidence from survey respondents, may have been due to heavy rainfall causing delays in planned work and decreasing output in February 2024.

Eight of the nine sectors saw a fall in February, non-housing repair and maintenance, as well as private commercial new work were the main contributors to the decrease, with a decline of 2.5% and 4% respectively — housing repair and maintenance was the only area which saw growth, with an increase of 0.2%.

According to the ONS, construction output is estimated to have decreased by 1% in the three months to February, coming from a 3% fall in new work as repair and maintenance increased by 1.6%.

Industry professionals have given their say on the latest construction statistics from the ONS:

Terry Woodley, managing director of development finance at Shawbrook, commented: “Despite a 1.1% increase in January, the challenges of the past few months have continued, as the latest ONS Construction figures revealed a downturn in construction activity.

“The upcoming summer months should increase workloads, especially as developers seek to diversify their portfolios.

“Already we’re seeing greater interest in specialist asset classes like retirement properties and student housing, and we expect to see this continue as the year progresses.

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 “That being said, unresolved issues around supply chains and the lack of planning reforms have remained points of contention for the industry.

“Those looking for guidance should reach out to specialist development finance lenders, as they can offer a more tailored funding solution to address specific concerns that developers may have.”

Giles Mackay, founder of Outra, said: “With a lack of housing supply exacerbating affordability pressures, it is disappointing to see that construction activity has been subdued over the last month.

 “The figures are emblematic of Britain’s stuck-in-a-rut planning system, and the failure of successive policymakers to push on with meaningful action.

 “The government needs to create a favourable policy environment for developers to encourage them to build housing in the areas where it is most severely needed, taking on a targeted, regionally based, housebuilding program to ensure that this is achieved.”

Chris Smith, head of specialist equipment, Aldermore Bank, added: “Despite the increase in last month’s output, the industry is still feeling the pressure, as we return to a decrease in February’s output.

“However, as we look ahead mortgage rates have been easing from their peak last Summer, with the market starting to reinvigorate as people who were putting their homebuying plans on hold last year, are now looking to capitalise on falling rates.

“As such, we me may start to see heightened demand for residential properties which would help drive up housebuilding numbers — however, even with the cost of borrowing remaining relatively heightened, there’s a confidence and optimism among the sector.”