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An article published online at http://www.ggpmag.com/ explains how the construction sector is looking like it will be the first one to enter a double-dip recession. Construction is a big sector in this country, and when it entered recession the first time it had a big impact.
This is a cause for concern for two reasons. The first is that as a general bell-weather, if construction is down, then the rest are likely to follow, and when that happens consumer confidence is affected. One thing that dragged the country out of the mire the first time round is that people carried on spending their money (to a certain degree), which meant money was still be moved about the economy. Hopefully they will have the same bullish attitude if we find ourselves in the same position again.

Secondly, and more specifically, if houses aren’t being built, then windows and doors aren’t being made and installed. Big names like Persimmon and Barratt Homes buy thousands and thousands of windows and doors every year. If their order book suddenly starts to look at bit thin, the national companies that supply these companies are going to find their order books shrinking in size too.

The third thing to consider is the wider impact, beyond the double glazing industry. If houses aren’t being built, builders aren’t building, plasterers aren’t plastering, electricians aren’t doing their first and second fixes. No carpets are being bought, nor are tiles, bathroom suites etc etc. You see my point? When the construction sector falters, so does all the other related industries and sectors. Construction is a lifeblood to many companies, so lets hope if it does start to suffer the government will support it as much as they can afford.