UK construction at weakest level for four years as housebuilding stalls

Official data echoes reports from builders of growing economic uncertainty following vote to leave the EU

The construction sector suffered its worst quarter for four years following the vote to leave the EU and, in a blow to government hopes for better housing supply, homebuilding stalled.

Official figures showed output in the construction sector, which accounts for 6% of the UK economy, slipped by 1.1% in the July to September quarter from the previous quarter. That echoed reports from builders after the Brexit vote that economic uncertainty was hitting their order books.

1.1% fall in construction in Q3, slightly smaller than the 1.4% fall estimated in preliminary #GDP https://t.co/qV2VTQy5Sn

Related: UK construction sector activity falls further in July