Statistical bulletin: New Orders in the Construction Industry, Q1 2012

Headline figures in constant 2005 prices, seasonally adjusted

• The total volume of all new construction orders in the first quarter of 2012 is estimated to have grown by 4.6 per cent compared with the fourth quarter of 2011, but is 3.6 per cent lower than the first quarter of 2011. In a volatile series, new orders remain at a relatively low level.
• Large increases were seen quarter-on-quarter in private industrial new work and private commercial new work, which grew by 57.9 per cent and 27.8 per cent respectively. There were decreases in infrastructure new work (13.6 per cent) and private new housing (10.7 per cent).
• The volume of new orders for infrastructure is estimated to be 59.5 per cent higher in the first quarter of 2012 than in the same period one year earlier.
• The volume of new orders for public new housing and public new work combined is estimated to be 41.3 per cent lower in the first quarter of 2012 than in the same period one year earlier.

Introduction

This bulletin shows new orders in the construction industry for the first quarter of 2012. Figures are in constant (2005) prices and are seasonally adjusted. This publication focuses on the latest quarterly figures and includes revisions to earlier periods in line with our revisions policy.

This information relates to contracts for new construction work awarded to main contractors by clients in both the public and private sectors. Also included is speculative work, undertaken on the initiative of the firm, where no contract or order is awarded. The value of this work is recorded in the period when foundation works are started. This series cannot be used to directly predict future output in the construction sector, though it gives an indication of trends in the construction and allied trades industry.

We are constantly aiming to improve this bulletin and our commentary/discussion around the range of tables shown. We would welcome feedback on areas of greatest interest; please get in touch with us via email (construction.statistics@ons.gsi.gov.uk) or telephone (+44 (0)1633 456344).

Orders for new construction

Construction new orders total in constant (2005) prices, seasonally adjusted

Source: Construction: Contracts & New Orders - Office for National Statistics

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Orders for New Construction (constant (2005) prices, seasonally adjusted)

Great Britain

Table source: Office for National Statistics

Table notes:

1. R = Revised since 2011 Q4 publication released on 2nd March 2012

New housing

The volume of new orders for private housing in the first quarter of 2012 fell by 10.7 per cent compared with the fourth quarter of 2011 and by 13.7 per cent compared with the same period one year earlier.

Public housing orders in the first quarter of 2012 increased by 5.7 per cent compared with the previous quarter and fell by 40.6 per cent compared with the same period one year earlier.

New Housing in constant (2005) prices, seasonally adjusted

Source: Construction: Contracts & New Orders - Office for National Statistics

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New public and private infrastructure

The volume of infrastructure orders in the first quarter of 2012 decreased by 13.6 per cent compared with the previous quarter. However, there was an increase of 59.5 per cent compared with the same period one year earlier.

New public and private infrastructure in constant (2005) prices, seasonally adjusted

Source: Construction: Contracts & New Orders - Office for National Statistics

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New public non-housing excluding infrastructure

The volume of public non-housing (excluding infrastructure) orders in the first quarter of 2012 increased by 2.2 per cent compared with the previous quarter and decreased by 41.5 per cent compared with one year earlier.

New public non-housing excluding infrastructure in constant (2005) prices, seasonally adjusted

Source: Construction: Contracts & New Orders - Office for National Statistics

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New private non-housing excluding infrastructure

The volume of private commercial orders in the first quarter of 2012 grew by 27.8 per cent compared with the previous quarter and increased by 8.4 per cent compared with the same period one year earlier.

Private industrial orders in the first quarter of 2012 increased by 57.9 per cent compared with the previous quarter and by 48.8 per cent compared with the same period one year earlier.

New private non-housing excluding infrastructure in constant (2005) prices, seasonally adjusted

Source: Construction: Contracts & New Orders - Office for National Statistics

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Revisions

In general, revisions will follow the standard revisions policy for construction statistics shown in the Revisiopns to New Orders table:

Revisions to New Orders (constant (2005) prices, seasonally adjusted)

Quarter on previous quarter growth rates

Table source: Office for National Statistics

Sources of revisions to the new orders series in the first quarter of 2012 are as outlined in the table above and Note 2 of the Background Notes.

Background notes

1. Special Events Policy

   ONS has produced an ONS Policy on Special Events.

2. Changes to Construction Statistics

   Statistical bulletins for new orders are produced quarterly. Publication dates in 2011/12 have been placed on the forward release calendar.

   An article describing the improvements made to New Orders and Output in the construction industry was published in ONS’s Economic and Labour Market Review in March of 2010. See ‘Development of construction statistics’ (135.4 Kb Pdf) .

   An explanation of the changes introduced in 2010 and the impact this has had on the published series (115.6 Kb Pdf) is available on the ONS website.

   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 due to seasonal adjustment.

   ONS launched a new website on 28 August 2011 which has improved the way users can access our statistics. However, many existing bookmarks and links no longer work and users will need to update them.

3. Relevance to users

   The statistical bulletin brings together information on orders for new construction in Great Britain. It draws on data compiled from the Quarterly Survey of Contracts and New Orders, with businesses selected from the Inter-Departmental Business Register (IDBR). The construction industry, which contributes to the overall estimate of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by approximately 7.6 per cent, covers Sections 41, 42 and 43 of the Standard Industrial Classification 2007 (excluding section 41.1 (property developers).

4. Deflation and seasonal adjustment

   The headline data are given in constant 2005 prices, seasonally adjusted. Deflators adjust the value series to take out the effect of price changes to give the volume series. Deflation of output is carried out sectorally and a range of relevant tender price and output price indices are used.

   Seasonal adjustment aids interpretation by removing annually recurring fluctuations, for example, due to climate, hours of daylight, holidays or other regular seasonal patterns. Unadjusted data are also available.

5. Further information

   Releases on construction output and employment prior to the transfer to ONS can be found on the BIS website.

6. Following ONS

   Follow ONS on Twitter (@statisticsons) and Facebook (statisticsons).

   View the latest podcasts on YouTube (ONSstats)

7. Publication policy

   Details of the policy governing the release of new data are available from the Media Relations Office. Also available is a list of those given pre-publication access to the contents of this release (29.7 Kb Pdf) .

   National Statistics are produced to high professional standards set out in the Code of Practice for Official Statistics. They undergo regular quality assurance reviews to ensure that they meet customer needs. They are produced free from any political interference.

   As a valued user of our statistics, we would welcome feedback on this release. In particular, the content, format and structure. Please send feedback to the following postal or e-mail address:

   Construction, Capex and Stocks Statistics, Room 2001, Office for National Statistics, Government Buildings, Cardiff Road, Newport, NP10 8XG

   Email: construction.statistics@ons.gsi.gov.uk

   You may re-use this information (not including logos) free of charge in any format or medium, under the terms of the Open Government Licence, or write to the Information Policy Team, The National Archives, Kew, LondonTW9 4DU, or email: psi@nationalarchives.gsi.gov.uk. © Crown copyright 2011.

8. Contact Details

   For further information please contact Stephen Curtis:

   Tel: +44 (0)1633 456344
   Email: construction.statistics@ons.gsi.gov.uk

9. Details of the policy governing the release of new data are available by visiting www.statisticsauthority.gov.uk/assessment/code-of-practice/index.html or from the Media Relations Office email: media.relations@ons.gsi.gov.uk

   These National Statistics are produced to high professional standards and released according to the arrangements approved by the UK Statistics Authority.

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