Record earnings for subbies in resilient construction sector 

Self-employed tradespeople enjoyed record-breaking earnings last month, according to the latest construction pay trends report from Hudson Contract.

Average weekly pay rose to £1,068 in March, representing a 0.8% month-on-month increase and a 4.3% gain compared to the same period last year.

The highest increases were seen in plastering (£953, up 3.9%), specialist trades (£1,003, up 3.3%), and scaffolding and lifting (£1,043, up 2.9%).

Across the regions, all-time highs were observed in Wales (£1,213, up 2.1% month-on-month), East Midlands (£1,119, up 0.7% month-on-month), South West (£1,117, up 3.7% month-on-month), and Yorkshire and Humber (£1,025, up 3.2% month-on-month).

The analysis is based on tens of thousands of weekly payments to highly skilled self-employed tradespeople made on behalf of our 2,600 construction SME clients across England and Wales. 

Commenting on the findings, managing director Ian Anfield said: "Despite wider economic stagnation and the well-publicised challenges in the housing market, these figures show the construction industry remains remarkably resilient.

“In the trade press every day you can read conflicting stories about slowing housing output and downbeat predictions from buyers set against endless pieces about the lack of skilled trades pushing up prices and endangering housing targets. The reality is somewhere in the middle and not helped by policy decisions of government or some industry bodies.

“The industry is still feeling the lagging effects of EU workers leaving post-Brexit, thousands of experienced workers being barred from sites due to CSCS removing grandfather rights, and the ongoing failure of training bodies and the apprenticeship levy to provide sufficient new entrants.

"Despite a fairly flat and declining demand for labour generally, these factors are helping hold up demand and rates for the most experienced, skilled, self-employed tradespeople. While record-breaking for construction, a 4.3% annual increase in earnings just about keeps the sector ahead of inflation, and let’s face it, if offered to train drivers they would be out on strike!

"Looking ahead, planning reforms should get more spades in the ground, boosting the economy and open up plenty more work for skilled trades across the board. Hopefully this will create more opportunities for the trainees and college leavers who get left behind when costs and margins are cut because demand is low.”