The fall follows a 0.1% downward blip in the previous quarter and means that construction output against the same period a year ago is down by just 0.2%.

Construction led falls at all major industries including agriculture and production but strong growth from the powerhouse services sector resulted in overall GDP growth of 0.5% in the third quarter.

The fall in construction GDP was the biggest for four years, but economic watchers said the preliminary estimates were likely to be upgraded when all figures have been returned.

In the most recent quarter for which full data is available (Q2) construction of new housing fell, for the first time since autumn 2015.

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