AUDIO NEWS: Construction output grows and US bricklayer wins Super Trowel 2025

Construction output grows by 1.2%, the Education Secretary wants to get to more young women into the trades and US bricky, Cole Stamper takes home Super Trowel title

Construction output grew by 1.2% in the second quarter, driven by an uplift in repair and maintenance work.

Government’s figures for June showed a modest return to growth, after a 0.5% drop in May.

But the stats also hinted at a possible slowdown in construction activity as the industry braces itself for a tough Autumn Budget.

Scott Motley, head of programme, project and cost management at AECOM told Construction Enquirer underlying market conditions “remain challenging”.

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The government and industry need to do more to get young women into construction.

During a visit to a technical college in Derby, the Education Secretary, Bridget Philipson met with trade apprentices who were calling for more support to get females into the trades.

According to the minister, it was important to create female “role models” in the trades, particularly in areas that are typically male dominated.

Philipson said it would be “pretty easy” to overcome the barriers preventing women joining the industry.

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US bricklayer Cole Stamper was crowned the UK’s fastest bricklayer at Super Trowel last week.

The American laid a massive 719 bricks in the final to take home the top award, beating two-time champion Charlie Collison into second place.

Tom Humphrey took third place with a score of 675 bricks.

At the end of the event, Collison said he wouldn’t compete in next year’s event.

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