Key Statistics: 21st February 2012

Glenigan's weekly roundup of keys statistics for the UK construction industry and the wider economy.

Construction

• Seasonally adjusted house building starts in England stood at 25,240 over the three months to December 2011, according to the Department for Communities and Local Government. This is 6% higher than in the three months to September 2011, but 48% below the peak over the three months to December 2005.
• Housing completions in England (seasonally adjusted) also increased last quarter, up 2% from 26,180 over the three months to September 2011 to 26,730 over the final quarter of the year.

UK Economy

• The value of retail sales increased by 4.4% in January 2012 compared to a year ago, according to the ONS.
• Over the three months to December the unemployment rate was 8.4% of the economically active population, up 0.1 on the quarter.
• The rate of Consumer Price Inflation fell to 3.6% in January 2012. However, this is still above the Bank of England’s 3% top end target.