Latest figures from the Mineral Products Association show UK demand for essential construction materials dropped further in the first quarter of 2026, extending a four-year downturn.<\/p>\n
Mortar sales, a key indicator of house building activity, fell 2% on the previous quarter and were 5.4% down year-on-year.<\/p>\n
Ready-mixed concrete sales slipped 0.5%, while primary aggregates fell 0.8%. Asphalt was broadly flat, down 0.1%, after a short-term boost from road maintenance work ahead of the financial year end.<\/p>\n
The slump has hit London particularly hard, where ready-mixed concrete volumes over the past 12 months were 47% lower than in 2022.<\/p>\n
MPA director of economic affairs Aurelie Delannoy said: \u201cThe Q1 data largely predates the recent escalation in global risks and energy prices, but it shows that UK construction demand was still falling as costs were starting to rise.<\/p>\n \u201cSince February, early indications from MPA members point to higher fuel and production costs, alongside emerging signs of project delays and pauses, particularly on some lower-margin housing schemes.\u201d<\/p>\n House building and commercial work continue to drag down demand, with higher borrowing costs, weak confidence and affordability pressures holding back investment.<\/p>\n Infrastructure remains the only bright spot, with HS2 and Sizewell C helping to support aggregates demand. Crushed rock volumes rose 1% in Q1, but not enough to offset weakness elsewhere.<\/p>\n MPA executive chair Chris Leese said: \u201cThere is no sign of recovery in the Q1 data, and this is likely to be further compounded by the economic fallout from events in the Middle East.<\/p>\n \u201cDemand is still falling, and now costs are rising again. That is a difficult combination for any industry, and it raises real concerns about the outlook for construction this year.<\/p>\n \u201cIf this continues, we are looking at a fifth consecutive year of decline.\u201d<\/p>\n The MPA is calling for Government action to support housing demand, pump public funding into infrastructure and road maintenance, incentivise private construction investment through a super-deduction and cut costs for the sector.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n![\"-\"](\"https:\/\/www.constructionenquirer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/b3e3b436-c8fd-4eca-ba8f-218b0b37710e.jpeg\")
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