Anticipated Workload & Labour Requirements
Members are anticipating that the overall increase in workload levels experienced this quarter will not continue and a fall is expected during the period January to March 1998. Growth of work levels in the private sector will continue, although at a slower rate than in the current quarter. In the public sector workload levels will continue to fall at the same rate as recorded this quarter Members envisage that public new housing output will continue to fall but at a much slower rate. Workload levels in all areas of the repair and maintenance sector, except private housing, are expected to drop, (Table 12).
Table 12
Percentage of firms reporting increased and decreased anticipated workloads, 1st Q 1998 |
| |
4th Q 1997 Actual |
1st Q 1998 Expected |
| inc |
Same |
Dec |
% Balance |
Inc |
Same |
Dec |
% Balance |
| New Housing |
|
|
| Private |
21 |
66 |
13 |
+8 |
19 |
64 |
17 |
+2 |
| Public |
4 |
76 |
20 |
-16 |
12 |
75 |
13 |
-1 |
| |
| Other New Work |
|
|
| Private industrial |
19 |
67 |
14 |
+5 |
15 |
66 |
19 |
-4 |
| Private Commercial |
18 |
69 |
13 |
+4 |
26 |
58 |
16 |
+10 |
| Public |
17 |
64 |
19 |
-2 |
19 |
60 |
21 |
-2 |
| |
| Repair & Maintenance |
|
|
| Private housing |
30 |
56 |
14 |
+16 |
22 |
60 |
18 |
+4 |
| Public housing |
19 |
66 |
15 |
+4 |
20 |
58 |
22 |
-2 |
| Private non-housing |
21 |
61 |
19 |
+2 |
15 |
66 |
19 |
-4 |
| Public non-housing |
15 |
66 |
19 |
-4 |
9 |
72 |
19 |
-10 |
| |
| TOTAL PRIVATE |
23 |
62 |
15 |
+8 |
19 |
68 |
18 |
+1 |
| TOTAL PUBLIC |
14 |
68 |
18 |
-4 |
15 |
66 |
19 |
-4 |
| ALL WORK |
20 |
64 |
16 |
+4 |
18 |
63 |
19 |
-1 |
On aggregate, member firms are expecting the size of their workforce over the next three months to fall. Fewer firms look to be increasing their workforce against a greater percentage expecting to decrease it. Eastern Counties' member firms only, are expecting to increase workforce. In the majority of regions, members anticipate having to decrease their workforce, (Table 13).
Table 13
Percentage of firms reporting increased and decreased anticipated workloads by region, 1st Q 1998 |
| |
4th Q 1997 Actual |
1st Q 1998 Expected |
| Inc |
Same |
Dec |
Inc |
Same |
Dec |
| Northern |
14 |
77 |
9 |
5 |
80 |
15 |
| North West |
20 |
65 |
15 |
5 |
74 |
21 |
| Yorkshire & Trent |
17 |
77 |
7 |
6 |
88 |
6 |
| Midlands |
4 |
92 |
4 |
4 |
92 |
4 |
| Eastern |
14 |
75 |
11 |
19 |
66 |
15 |
| London |
23 |
68 |
9 |
10 |
80 |
10 |
| Southern |
11 |
85 |
4 |
11 |
78 |
11 |
| South West |
23 |
68 |
9 |
21 |
67 |
12 |
| TOTAL |
15 |
77 |
8 |
11 |
78 |
11 |
First posted: 11 January 1999. Last modified: 27 July 1999.
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