The UK’s largest building industry group has warned that the sector is still in recession despite official figures just released confirming that the economy crossed into growth in the final quarter of 2009.
Figures from the Office for National Statistics show the UK economy grew by 0.1% in October-December, but the Federation of Master Builders’ (FMB) latest survey of SMEs in the construction sector reveals that 44% of FMB firms expect their workloads to decline in the first three months of 2010, with only 18% expecting volumes to grow.
“The UK has barely just by the skin of its teeth come out of recession and for the building industry it continues to suffer,” said FMB director-general Richard Diment.
“A staggering 33% of FMB firms expect to make staff cuts in the first three months of this year.”
Mr Diment warned that the government had to do more to support the construction industry because of the sector’s importance in helping the country back into recovery.
