Vital statistics

Construction output
In 2000, the UK construction industry's output rose to £69.53 bn, up from £55.24 bn in 1996, according to the latest Key Note market review. Key Note estimates that the total construction market will grow by 15.4 per cent between 2001 and 2005. Commercial construction accounted for just over 18 per cent of all construction work in 2000. A high growth rate between 1996 and 2000 for the sector was due to fast growth in offices, entertainment and retail. Offices are expected to continue this growth, with much of the demand being in London. However growth in the entertainment and retail sectors is unlikely to maintain the level of recent years. Looking to the future, growth in commercial construction can be expected in the fields of education and health, the report states. Much of the work here will be in the form of PPP/PFI schemes.
Source: UK Construction Industry 2001, Key Note, www.keynote.co.uk, Tel: 020 8481 8747

Central London offices
The supply of available office space rose by 21.6 per cent to 961,461 m2 over the second quarter of 2001 according to Knight Frank. Take-up of office space increased by 22.6 per cent, fuelled by large pre-lets. The West End however saw a fall of 33 per cent in the amount of space taken. Uncertainty over the economic outlook has resulted in a fall in demand, with many occupiers putting their requirements on hold. The cautious approach of potential occupiers has seen prime rental growth slow and fringe locations become more attractive to traditional core tenants.
Knight Frank Central London Quarterly.
Tel: 020 7629 8171

Noise exposure risk
Cleaning, catering and construction have all been identified as sectors where workers commonly suffer from hearing difficulties and tinnitus. According to a study carried out by Southampton University and published by the HSE, symptoms are strongly associated with years of exposure in noisy occupations. Among men, hearing difficulty was most prevalent in transport and machinery operatives, construction workers, material moving and storage workers and repetitive assembly and inspection workers. In women, hearing difficulty was most prevalent among cleaners and caterers.
Medical Research Council, Southampton University/HSE
hse.gov.uk/research/content/crr/index.htm