UK construction output falls sharply in April

Construction output in the UK fell more than expected in March.

Output dropped by 3.6% month-on-month with identical decreases of 3.6% registered in both the all new work and repair categories, according to the Office for National Statistics.

In terms of quarterly rates of change, construction sector output declined by 1.1% over the first three months of 2016 and was down by 1.9% against the year ago figure.

All new work decreased by 0.6% in the first quarter and repair and maintenance by 1.9%.

Friday's data did not entail any downward revisions to the preliminary first quarter estimate of gross domestic product, ONS said.