The UK’s builders have appealed for more support as 27% report falling workloads.

A survey of small and medium-sized builders by the Federation of Master Builders found that 27% had recorded lower workloads in the final quarter of last year, rising from 21% in the previous quarter.

However, 42% reported no change in workload and 31% reported higher workloads.

The slowdown was largely driven by a drop in activity in the industrial and commercial sectors, where 40% of builders reported lower workloads.