UK businesses paused trading, no restart: construction
UK businesses paused trading, no restart: construction stood at 2.5% in Aug 2026, according to ONS — Business Insights and Conditions Survey (BICS). It is one of the indicators in the Business trading status (BICS) table (Value · Monthly), with a complete series running from Jun 2020 to Aug 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Business trading status (BICS) table
| Indicator | 08-2026 | 07-2026 | 06-2026 | 05-2026 | 04-2026 | 03-2026 | 02-2026 | 01-2026 | 12-2025 | 11-2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Paused trading, no intention to restart | |||||||||||
| Construction | 2.5 | 2.8 | 5 | 2.7 | 2.5 | 6.8 | 3.2 | 2.3 | 4.5 | 3.8 | |
| Wholesale & retail trade | 2.6 | 3.3 | 3.6 | 2 | 3 | 4.2 | 1.2 | 1.8 | 2.2 | 3 |
Understanding UK businesses paused trading, no restart: construction
Building contractors, civil engineering firms, specialised trade contractors, and property development enterprises across the United Kingdom that have halted operations permanently without plans to resume are quantified here. This metric isolates structural and finishing trades from other sectors, capturing the complete exit of construction businesses from the active enterprise register. The scope covers firms engaged in site preparation, building construction, and specialised installation activities throughout the United Kingdom.
Seasonality plays a notable role in construction activity, though permanent closures reflect deeper economic pressures rather than weather-related pauses. Researchers should examine these figures alongside material cost indices and building approvals to understand the underlying drivers of business exit. Revisions can occur as administrative confirmation of corporate dissolution lags behind actual cessation dates.
Frequently asked questions
- Does this series cover sole traders and self-employed builders?
- The survey framework captures registered businesses of various legal forms, though very small unregistered sole proprietors may be underrepresented.
- What distinguishes a permanent closure from a paused construction project?
- A paused project involves a temporary halt on a specific site, whereas permanent cessation signifies the complete termination of the enterprise itself.
- How do financing costs impact this construction measure?
- Rising borrowing expenses and cash flow pressures often precede permanent exits among smaller sub-contractors and developers.