Construction output in Great Britain grew 1.9 per cent in November 2020 compared to the previous month, according to the latest ONS data.

A 3.5 per cent increase in new work in November is credited with the growth in output, offsetting the 0.6 per cent fall in repair and maintenance work.

All new sectors experienced growth in the period, apart from public new housing and public other new work, which fell by 2.4 per cent and 2.8 per cent respectively.

However, private housing grew above levels seen before the impact of the pandemic, up by 2.4 per cent on February 2020.

November was the seventh consecutive month that saw overall construction output grow since April 2020.

Naismiths director Gareth Belsham says: “Construction barely skipped a beat in November as the other major sectors of the UK economy slid into reverse.

“But construction’s continued expansion represents much more than just the bragging rights of the only industry still growing.

“Growth has extended to a seven-month streak and total construction output has powered back past its pre-pandemic level for the first time.”

Search Acumen director Andy Sommerville says: “This latest data shows the construction sector is one of the few elements of the economy that is outperforming its pre-pandemic levels.

“The recovery in output from the troughs of the first lockdown has been partly driven by activity in the housing market running hot. Housebuilders are responding to high levels of demand triggered by the stamp duty holiday by scaling up supply of homes or rushing to complete projects put on hold during the first lockdown.