The construction industry is adapting positively to change in working practices due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as it continues to bounce back.

While construction sites in England were permitted to continue operating during the early lockdown period the reality of keeping sites running proved to be a major challenge for many contractors.

Construction workers were, however, one of the first to be encouraged to return to their workplace during the lockdown despite still being subject to a number of restrictions.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson made no secret of the importance of growth in the construction industry to the UK economy’s bounce back following the pandemic – as detailed in his “build, build, build” speech back in June.

September saw the fastest increase in new construction business since before lockdown.

Residential Sector

Post-lockdown, the residential sector has become the strongest within the construction industry.

The residential sector was further bolstered by a stamp duty holiday that Chancellor, Rishi Sunak, introduced in a bid to boost the housing market.

The holiday, which was introduced in July and will last until March 2021, means house-hunters will not have to pay any stamp duty on properties costing up to £500,000, saving them as much as £15,000 in fees.

The post-lockdown “mini-housing boom” saw the UK housing market record its busiest month in more than a decade in July, according to property website Rightmove.

HS2

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said HS2 will fire up economic growth and is at the heart of government plans to “build back better” by forming the spine of the UK’s transport network.

The high-speed rail link was given the formal go ahead by government back in April, despite the UK being in lockdown.

Construction work officially began on HS2 last month, boosting over 22,000 jobs over the next few years, largely outside of London.