UK construction output index: public new housing
UK construction output index: public new housing stood at 108.7 in Jul 2026, according to Office for National Statistics (ONS). It is one of the indicators in the Construction output and materials table (Value · Monthly), with a complete series running from Jan 2010 to Jul 2026. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Construction output and materials table
| Indicator | 07-2026 | 06-2026 | 05-2026 | 04-2026 | 03-2026 | 02-2026 | 01-2026 | 12-2025 | 11-2025 | 10-2025 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All new work | 107.1 | 107.3 | 107.2 | 106.5 | 105.9 | 105.8 | 105.5 | 105.9 | 106.1 | 106.4 | |
| New housing, total | 108.9 | 108.8 | 108.8 | 108 | 107.5 | 107.5 | 107.2 | 106.9 | 107.3 | 107.2 | |
| New housing, public | 108.7 | 108.7 | 108.7 | 107.9 | 107.4 | 107.4 | 107 | 106.8 | 107.2 | 107.1 |
Understanding UK construction output index: public new housing
State-commissioned residential building activity across the United Kingdom is captured by this index, focusing exclusively on properties built for local authorities and registered providers of social housing. Unlike private residential development, this series isolates government-backed housing starts and completions, excluding commercial residential projects and private homebuilding entirely. Civil engineering elements, infrastructure connections outside the immediate site boundary, and structural alterations to existing council housing stock are likewise separated into distinct categories.
Interpreting this index requires careful allowance for seasonal weather disruptions and holiday periods that traditionally affect construction sites across the United Kingdom. Early estimates are subject to routine statistical revisions as firms supply delayed survey returns, meaning initial monthly movements should be treated with caution. Comparing this series against private residential output reveals shifts in government capital allocation and housing policy priorities. Analysts prefer twelve-month comparisons to smooth out short-term volatility inherent in large-scale residential projects.
Frequently asked questions
- What types of dwellings are included in public new housing construction?
- This measure covers newly built homes commissioned by local authorities and housing associations for social rent or affordable homeownership within the United Kingdom.
- Does this index cover the refurbishment of existing council estates?
- No, repair, maintenance, and major improvement works on existing residential buildings are compiled under separate repair categories rather than new housing output.
- Why do initial estimates for public housing output frequently change?
- Early figures rely on voluntary survey responses from contractors, which are subsequently updated as more complete administrative returns and late project data become available.