Release: New Orders in the Construction Industry, Q4 2012

The estimated total volume of all new construction orders in the fourth quarter of 2012 increased by 3.4 per cent (£370 million) compared with the third quarter of 2012. The total volume of all new construction orders in the fourth quarter of 2012 was estimated to be 11.2 per cent higher (£1,100 million) than the fourth quarter of 2011.

The increase in new construction orders in the fourth quarter was not attributable to any single sector with five out of the six sectors showing a quarter on quarter increase. The private sector delivered the largest increases, with private commercial other new work increasing 9.7 per cent (£270 million) and private new housing increasing 10.3 per cent (£230 million). Of the six sectors, only infrastructure showed a fall in the quarter (15.4 per cent).

Previous quarter estimates are subject to revisions in line with national accounts revisions policy. Standard revisions to the new orders series include late responses from respondents, revisions to the price indices used to deflate the current prices to constant (2005) prices, and seasonal adjustment.

The statistical bulletin brings together information on orders for new construction in Great Britain drawing on data compiled from the Quarterly Survey of Contracts and New Orders. Construction new orders estimates should not be used as an indicator of output activity.