Residential construction-starts slipped back 16% on the preceding three months and a by a fifth (19%) against the previous year.

Social housing performance was particularly weak, down by nearly a third (31%) against the preceding three months and 30% compared with the previous year.

Private housing also dropped back, with work starting on site falling 11% against the previous three-month period and plummeting 17% on 2023 levels.

Non-residential project-starts fell by 7% against the preceding three months, dropping by nearly a third (30%) on a year ago.

Overall performance was weak, with health the only vertical to make headway on both the preceding three months and the previous year, advancing by a quarter (25%) to stand 19% up on 2023. Civils work also increased against the preceding three months, up 19%.

However, these figures failed to increase against the year before.

Civil engineering work starting on-site increased 19% against the preceding three months, down 21% against the previous year.

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Civils growth was boosted by infrastructure activity, with starts increasing by nearly a third (31%) against the preceding three months but remaining down by a fifth (22%) on a year ago.

Utilities starts increased 3% against the preceding three-month period but were 18% down on the previous year.

Despite this, the sector was buoyed by improved prospects in a number of verticals, including civil engineering which enjoyed growth, up by nearly a fifth (19%) on the preceding three months.

Commenting on the results, Glenigan’s economic director, Allan Wilen, said: “Many will be disappointed to see the decline in projects starting on site, but given the current economic situation it’s hardly surprising.

“Nevertheless, a few bright spots are emerging out of the gloom.

“A marked rise in infrastructure starts has lifted civil engineering starts during the last three months. 

“Similarly, health project-starts are on the rise, while an increase in office projects has helped support a 22% rise in starts in London.”