Total output fell 11.6% in August compared to last year, but remained relatively flat month on month

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Construction output fell 11.6% in August compared to the same period last year, and dipped 0.9% compared to July, the latest official figures have revealed.

The Office for National Statistics construction output data showed that in August 2012 construction output dropped 11.9% compared to August 2011.

The figures showed the largest year-on-year falls were in new private commercial work, down 17.2% and new public work, excluding infrastructure, which was down 18.6%.

Year-on-year all areas of work declined apart from repairs and maintenance on public housing, which was up 1.6%.

For the three months to August 2012, total output was also down 11.6% on the same period a year ago.

The figures also showed output fell 0.9% in August compared to the previous month, while output for the three months to August was down 2.5% compared to the three months to May.