Sales of ready-mixed concrete have fallen to levels not seen since the early 1960s, adding to fears that business confidence and investment in construction are falling, according to Mineral Products Association (MPA) figures.

Ready-mixed concrete volumes dropped by 11.5 per cent to 2.7 million cubic metres in the second quarter of this year, the MPA said.

Over the past four quarters (Q3 2024 to Q2 2025), sales totalled 11.9 million cubic metres. The last time Britains annual concrete volume was this low was 1963, the association noted.

The numbers, based on actual sales volumes across Great Britain, also show that asphalt volumes over the past four quarters were the lowest in a decade.

Sales of aggregates and mortar also fell in the second quarter this year.

This quarters data offers a stark reminder that market conditions remain incredibly challenging for the mineral products sector, said MPA director of economic affairs Aurelie Delannoy.

A fourth consecutive year of declining sales is now a serious risk, including to jobs.

She added that the bleak macroeconomic outlook was combining with rising costs and additional taxes as well as the possibility of further tax rises in the autumn to dampen investment, further weakening demand.

Potential infrastructure projects are being held back by slow, delayed or deferred investment decisions, cost pressures and sluggish regulatory processes, according to the MPAs report.

The HS2 reset looks set to have a negative impact on demand this year, while roads delivery continues to be plagued by uncertainty, it said. 

Julys cancellation of the A12 Chelmsford to A120 widening and the A47 Wansford to Sutton schemes followed five other project cancellations in last years Budget to further damage confidence in infrastructure delivery.

In the housing sector, the industry body said its members continue to report weakness, particularly in London and other major cities, despite lower interest rates. Buyer confidence continues to be weighed on by affordability, inflation and growing job insecurity.

As evidence, the MPA pointed to mortar sales, which are linked to early-stage housebuilding, which fell by 2.7 per cent in the second quarter of 2025, bringing to an end four consecutive quarters of growth.

What we are seeing is not just the challenge of a specific industry market; it is a broader signal of a UK construction sector and national economy stuck in first gear, hampered by weak confidence, patchy project delivery and a chronic lack of tangible demand, Delannoy said.

Despite the governments positive long-term announcements, businesses are still waiting for any concrete signs that the UK is ready to invest and to build again.

The MPA called on the government to undertake various courses of action to mitigate the fall in demand, including ruling out further tax rises on businesses, increasing planning capacity and making sure public procurement for infrastructure supports domestic supply.

It also wants the government to improve the performance of the Building Safety Regulator, which would come from the swift resolution of gateway two delays to approvals for buildings classed as higher-risk.

The underlying problem is a total lack of business confidence leading to a lack of investment required to kickstart activity, said MPA executive chair Chris Leese.

The mineral products industry literally provides the foundations for the whole economy, employing 80,000 hardworking people in high-value, high-productivity jobs across the country, but in the current climate our members will have no option other than to mothball capacity and rationalise their businesses.

He added: We need action now to unlock stalled projects, back the businesses that will build them, and break out of this cycle of weak growth and high costs.