Payroll firm says fall underlines housing’s ongoing problem but brickmaker issues upbeat trading update

Payroll firm Hudson Contract has said payments to bricklayers fell by more than 10% last month, underlining the problems facing the struggling housing market.

It said there was an 11% fall in the number of payments made to bricklayers in October by brickwork contractors.

bricklayer

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The number of payments made to bricklayers last month was down by 11%

The firm said average earnings for tradespeople last month increased by 2.6% last month. Workers in the East of England enjoyed the highest weekly rates, rising 4.3% to £1,103.

Meanwhile, brick manufacturer Michelmersh said in an update today that trading this year was in line with expectations. It added: “We have continued to operate at full manufacturing capacity to deliver our diverse forward order book.”

Broker Investec is expecting turnover to be up more than 20% to £82.6m although pre-tax profit is slated to be down £400,000 to £11m.

Michelmersh will release its 2023 results on 26 March.