Office of National Statistics shows 2.7% drop in employment levels over the third quarter

The number of people employed in construction fell again in the third quarter, new statistics have revealed today.

Data from the Office of National Statistics showed a 2.7% fall in June compared to March and more than 80,000 people in construction becoming unemployed since June 2008.

Women were hardest hit in construction, with the number of females employed in June 2009 falling 3.2% since March.

Commenting on the news, Nick Hopkinson, director of Property Portfolio Rescue (PPR), said: “Any economic recovery forecasts are shown to be fragile at best with today’s figures highlighting the financial misery that many people are suffering.”

He added: “With tax rises and public spending cuts inevitably coming in the next few months it is hard to see where growth will come from in the next year as the banks are still not really open for lending, despite the lowest interest rates on record being maintained.”