Construction output grew 5% in the UK last year in spite of snow hitting output in both the first quarter and last quarter of the year. A fall in construction output of 3.3% in the final quarter of 2010 as snow that brought work to a halt in November contributed to a surprise dip of 0.5% in the UK economy in general.

Manufacturing did best in the quarter with output growing 1.4% after an increase of 1.1% in the previous quarter. It is anticipated that the fall in output in the last quarter of 2010 will result in above average growth in the first quarter of this year as deferred purchases are made.