The number of people employed in construction in January 2007 was 1% down on the same period last year, according to the latest DTI figures.

However the total volume of construction output in 2006 rose by 1% compared to 2005. Overall new work rose over the same period, despite decreases in the infrastructure and public non-housing sectors.

The total volume of new work in 2006 was 5% higher compared with the previous year and rose by 1% in the fourth quarter compared with the previous quarter. The total volume of repair and maintenance work fell by 3% in 2006 compared with the previous year, but was 1% higher in the fourth quarter of 2006 compared to the previous quarter.

New private housing work in 2006 was 2% higher compared with the previous year, but the fourth quarter of 2006 was unchanged compared to the previous quarter.

New construction work in the private industrial sector in 2006 was 11% higher compared with the previous year, and rose by 9% in the fourth quarter compared with the previous quarter.