ABSTRACT
The UK construction industry is a unique, complex and often fragmented industry. Nevertheless, in 2008 the total turnover of the industry was £80 billion or the equivalent of 6% of the UK gross domestic product, making it an important contributor to the wealth of the nation. The industry employs approximately 182,000 contractors, 1.8 million people – a high percentage of which are self-employed – with a ratio of male to female of 7:1. The construction industry is defi ned in accordance with Division 45 of the Revised 2003 Standard Classifi cation to include the following:
• General construction and demolition work: establishments engaged in building and civil engineering work not specialised to be classifi ed elsewhere
• Construction and repair of buildings: establishments engaged in construction, improvement and repair of both residential and nonresidential buildings, including specialists engaged in sections of construction and repair work such as bricklaying and the erection of steel and concrete structures, etc.
