AMA Research has recently published the 1st Edition of its overview of the UK Central Government Construction Market in the UK, covering the defence, police, immigration, courts, prison, fire & rescue, central government offices and public leisure sectors. The report should be of particular interest to engineering consultancy firms, architects & designers, contractors, suppliers and construction professionals and provides a comprehensive review of the central government construction sector.

While the downturn in the economy is expected to have a negative impact on the growth of the overall construction market, the Central Government sector is due to receive a boost over the short to medium term from the Government’s decision to bring forward £3bn of capital spending to 2009-10 from 2010-11 in order to provide some impetus to the economy. However, this measure will result in lower departmental capital expenditure limits in 2010-11, resulting in more moderate growth in the sector in the medium to longer term even though the overall economy is expected to slowly recover in that period.

While the programme of redevelopments in some sectors such as Central Government Offices is now largely over, some growth is expected to continue over the next few years, supported by government investment in increasing the provision of prison accommodation, improvements to the Fire and Rescue Services, investment in defence accommodation and developments in connection with the 2012 Olympics.

This 1st edition of our report specifically reviews key central government functions including defence, police services, immigration service, courts service, prison service, fire & rescue services, central government offices and public leisure services including current estate size and future estate strategy

The report also reviews the structure and size of the central government construction sector with an analysis of prospects for construction activity in the sector over the next five years and gives a detailed review of major capital building programmes and anticipated capital budgets of key central government departments including MoD, MoJ, DCMS, HMRC and the Home Office.

In addition, the report discusses the key factors affecting the central government sector including the impact of the economic downturn, the Public Value Programme, future public spending levels, implications for central government construction of a change in government including the future of services within the custodial sector, sustainability and the use of offsite construction methods.

Analysis of market developments has been based upon both quantitative and qualitative assessments of both primary and secondary source data. Interpretation of relevant data has been undertaken to explore and support trends within the central government construction market and to provide a basis for forecasts of future prospects.