Data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) shows a 6.3% decline in private housing output in the UK during the three months ending January 2026, alongside a 2% drop in overall construction sector output over the same period. The decreases included new work falling by 3.2% and repair and maintenance work by 0.4%.
Among the nine sectors tracked by the office, seven saw a decline in output, with new private housing being the main contributor to the slowdown. Despite a 0.2% monthly increase in construction output in January, this was solely due to a 3.3% rise in repair and maintenance work, offsetting a 2% drop in new work.
In a related development, data from the Ministry of Housing showed an 18% increase in construction starts in England over the 12 months ending September 2025, while completions and planning approvals fell by 10% and 15%, respectively.
Clive Dockra, Managing Director at Mac Bins, stated that the decline in output represents a setback to the government’s housing ambitions. He added that despite the slight growth in January, the 2% drop in new work reflects weak investment in major projects.
