Average earnings for freelancers fell by 2.9% last month as the impact of coronavirus started to filter through to construction sites, according to the latest figures by Hudson Contract
Analysis of payroll data for more than 2,200 construction companies in England and Wales shows a weekly average of £897 for freelancers in March, down from £924 in February.
The government imposed a lockdown on 23 March 23 has said the construction sector can continue to work under new ‘Site Operating Procedures’ developed by the Construction Leadership Council.
Ian Anfield, managing director of Hudson Contract, said: “Our thoughts first and foremost are with those construction workers and their families who have been affected by this terrible virus.
“We are closely monitoring the impact on the industry by speaking to our clients and through our bellwether pay trends data. We are sharing our insights with the Bank of England so policymakers are best placed to respond to the rapidly changing situation.
“Not surprisingly the latest survey from purchasing managers shows the steepest fall in construction output since the fallout from the global financial crisis in 2009 although they showed housebuilding dropped at a comparatively modest rate.”
| Region | March 2020
Average |
Month on Month
% Change |
Year on Year
% Change |
| North East | £713 | -6.9% | -8.6% |
| North West | £858 | -2.5% | 7.1% |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | £948 | 14.4% | 12.6% |
| East Midlands | £925 | -2.6% | 1.4% |
| West Midlands | £827 | -16.5% | -13.3% |
| Wales | £942 | 17.5% | 14.5% |
| East of England | £966 | 0.0% | 0.1% |
| London | £890 | -2.6% | -1.4% |
| South East | £933 | 0.1% | 3.3% |
| South West | £898 | 4.7% | 10.7% |
Most housebuilding sites closed
Anfield added: “However, we know from speaking to clients and freelancers that most housebuilding sites are now closed. Essential infrastructure and utility repair work is continuing but planned upgrades are stuttering.
“Work on government and privately funded projects stopped whilst the main contractors and our clients took stock and worked on safe working methods. They are now ready to open back up and test whether work can be done safely.
“We are functioning as near normal as we can be and remain focused on supporting our clients as they build the housing and infrastructure that Britain will need to recover from this period of crisis.”
