The 1.6% rise in construction output in the three months to May 2026, as reported in the latest figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS), is a welcome sign of recovery for the construction industry, but policymakers must not assume the sector is out of the woods yet, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).
Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), said: “After a difficult start to the year, it is encouraging to see construction output increase for the third consecutive three-month period. The growth in repair and maintenance work is particularly positive, as this is the bread and butter of many small building firms and suggests that demand from homeowners and property owners has remained resilient. It is also reassuring to see growth recorded across the majority of construction sectors, demonstrating that activity is beginning to recover more broadly across the industry.”
Berry continued: "However, there remains no room for complacency. While repair and maintenance activity increased over the three months to May, the monthly figures show that this momentum weakened towards the end of the period, with repair and maintenance output falling in May. The industry needs sustained confidence and a strong pipeline of projects if this recovery is to continue. The Government must use this momentum to accelerate planning reform, improve access to finance for SME builders and provide long-term certainty on housing and infrastructure investment. With the right support, small builders can play a central role in driving growth, delivering new homes and improving existing housing stock across the country."
