Number crunchers at the Office of National Statistics were left red-faced last week when they released the wrong set of numbers for construction output.

The mistake was the latest in a series of concerns over the accuracy of Government construction figures.

The UK Statistics Authority watchdog will now undertake its own probe into the situation.

Chair Sir Michael Scholar has written to ONS chiefs highlighting his worries about the figures.

He said: “I must also record my great concern about the publication and subsequent correction of miscalculated estimates of Output in Construction by ONS on 12 August 2011, estimates which have implications for UK GDP statistics.

“The Statistics Authority awaits your report on how this error came about.

“The Authority will be undertaking its own independent inquiry into all relevant matters relating to construction statistics, and its findings will be published.”