UK construction workloads stable amid cautious growth outlook

Construction workloads remain largely stable, with signs pointing to modest growth in the year ahead, particularly driven by infrastructure projects.

This is according to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Q1 2025 UK Construction Monitor which reveals the overall headline net balance for workloads stayed neutral at -1 per cent, mirroring the previous quarter’s reading. Infrastructure continues to lead the sector posting a strong net balance of +13 per cent, with the energy sub-sector maintaining robust momentum at +35 per cent. There are several significant energy infrastructure projects ongoing including Hinckley Point C nuclear power station as well as new and expanded offshore wind farms.

Despite the steady outlook for workloads, financial challenges persist. Credit conditions weakened over the quarter, reporting a net balance of -21 per cent. Financial constraints remain the most significant barrier, cited by 63 per cent of respondents, followed closely by regulatory and planning issues.

Whilst the government has worked hard to reform local planning, many respondents shared frustrations that their work continues to be held back by red tape and a lack of clarity. Some respondents noted a “brain drain” to the Middle East and North America, whilst a shortage of skills and labour continued to impact projects.

Looking forward, expectations for the next 12 months remain positive but have been slightly scaled back, with a net balance of +17 per cent. Infrastructure is projected to lead sector growth (+32 per cent), while private residential and non-residential sectors are also expected to see some improvement. However, profit margin expectations have worsened for the third consecutive quarter, falling to -12 per cent.

Employment prospects offer a bright spot, with hiring expectations holding steady at a net balance of +15 per cent over the next year.

RICS Chief Economist, Simon Rubinsohn, said: “Construction activity was largely flat over the quarter with respondents expressing a little more caution in the face of the heightened level uncertainty both at a global and domestic level. In particular, concerns about the implementation of tariffs and what this might mean for costs and economic activity as well as the potential impact of the uplift in employer NI contributions are highlighted in the feedback.

“Significantly, aside from financial issues the most cited obstacle to activity referenced in the survey is planning and regulation which chimes neatly with the government’s agenda. Addressing this issue is critical if the ambitions around housing and infrastructure are to be met.

“That said, for now the forward-looking metrics point to a relatively modest uplift in construction workloads over the next 12 months with profitability in the sector remaining under pressure.”