Based on the value of project starts (under £100m) during this time, performance declined by 16% over the period.

Social housing cushioned this fall, rising 28% over the period to finish 11% higher than in 2024. Still, overall residential activity was down 6% and 18% respectively.

However, “spikes” in office and industrial starts lifted the performance of the construction sector in general. Starts onsite increased by an overall average of 3% during these three months but remained 4% lower than the same point in 2024.

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“While performance was generally weak in most areas of the construction industry, the decline was less severe than we’ve seen in other months, with three standout verticals: offices, industrial, and social housing pushing the overall sector back into positive figures during the Index period,” said Allan Wilen, economics director at Glenigan.

“Yes, these levels are lower than last year, but given the backdrop of volatile global markets, wild political speculation and policy false starts, the situation could’ve been a lot worse.”