Construction output increased by 0.9% in January 2021, according to the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

This is after construction output dropped by 2.9% in December 2020, the figures show.

But the level of output in January 2021 was 2.6% below the level recorded in February last year.

Additionally, the level of new work was 6.4% below this level, while repair and maintenance work was 4.5% above this level despite a monthly fall.

New work increased by 1.7% in January 2021 and was fuelled primarily by private commercial and infrastructure, which grew by 4.5% and 3.1% respectively.

Repair and maintenance decreased by 0.4% in January 2021 because of a 4.7% fall in private housing repair and maintenance, despite growth of 5.0% in public housing and 1.3% in non-housing repair and maintenance.

Construction output grew by 1.7% in the three months to January 2021 compared with the previous three-month period, because of growth in both new work and repair and maintenance, at 2.2% and 0.8% respectfully.

Fraser Johns, finance director at Beard, said: “These latest figures, while positive for the future of the industry, suggest there is still a little nervousness in the market. The construction industry has already shown incredible resilience in the second half of 2020, and this 0.9% increase in output at the start of 2021 is welcome news. While we are clearly not out of the woods completely, the green shoots of recovery are beginning to show.

“It was only at the end of February that we received some clarity about the roadmap out of lockdown. Despite the construction industry remaining open throughout, some clients may have been hesitant to give the green light before they knew the timeline for a return to normal.

“The success of the vaccine rollout and the timeline now being in place should help confidence in the market grow in the coming weeks and months. As we enter spring, we expect demand to pick up quickly and bounce back as projects that have been on hold are given the go ahead.”

Paul Fenner, head of construction at BDO, added: “Construction output suffered a minor blip in December 2020, but the latest figures for January 2021 show that the sector’s recovery is back on track.

“The more positive figures reflect a growing confidence among construction firms that the worst is behind them.

“Indeed, BDO’s latest survey shows that 85% of construction firms are feeling positive about their prospects for the year ahead.

“However, risks remain and firms will need to keep a tight rein on costs and maintain strict financial discipline as we enter a very uncertain period.”