{
  "query": "UK construction cost trends and schedule delay benchmarks 2024-2026 NEC contracts",
  "claims": [
    {
      "claim": "In 2024, the UK construction industry saw a 3.4% growth in the all-Construction Output Price Index.",
      "verbatim_quote": "In the 12 months to December 2024, there was growth in the all-Construction Output Price Index of 3.4%.",
      "source_url": "https://www.ons.gov.uk/businessindustryandtrade/constructionindustry/articles/constructionstatistics/2024",
      "relevance": "high"
    },
    {
      "claim": "New work output prices in the UK construction sector increased by 3.7% in the 12 months leading to December 2024.",
      "verbatim_quote": "At the lower level, repair and maintenance, and new work output prices increased across the 12 months to December 2024 by 2.7% and 3.7%, respectively.",
      "source_url": "https://www.ons.gov.uk/businessindustryandtrade/constructionindustry/articles/constructionstatistics/2024",
      "relevance": "high"
    },
    {
      "claim": "The value of new construction work in Great Britain increased by 1.4% in 2024, reaching £140,684 million.",
      "verbatim_quote": "The value of construction new work in current prices in Great Britain during 2024 increased by 1.4% to £140,684 million; this increase was driven solely by a rise of 6.7% (£2,592 million) in public sector new work as the private sector fell by 0.7% (£688,000).",
      "source_url": "https://www.ons.gov.uk/businessindustryandtrade/constructionindustry/articles/constructionstatistics/2024",
      "relevance": "high"
    },
    {
      "claim": "The UK government infrastructure pipeline as of March 2026 includes 734 planned projects with £718 billion in investment over the next decade.",
      "verbatim_quote": "The March 2026 government infrastructure pipeline update refers to 734 planned projects and £718 billion of public and private investment over the next decade.",
      "source_url": "https://www.necplanningsolutions.co.uk/post/the-future-of-nec-contracts-in-the-uk-a-2035-projection",
      "relevance": "medium"
    },
    {
      "claim": "NEC contracts are effectively mandated for UK publicly funded construction projects by the Construction Playbook.",
      "verbatim_quote": "The UK Government’s Construction Playbook and Infrastructure and Projects Authority now effectively mandate NEC for publicly funded construction projects.",
      "source_url": "https://medium.com/@nihanthreddy65/why-nec-contracts-are-revolutionizing-uk-construction-and-what-you-need-to-know-38de679222c8",
      "relevance": "medium"
    },
    {
      "claim": "New social value procurement requirements for central government contracts will carry a minimum 10% weighting starting October 2025.",
      "verbatim_quote": "The updated PPN 002 Social Value Model applies mandatorily from 1 October 2025 to in-scope central government organisations. It requires social value to be selected from a structured menu of outcomes and criteria, with a minimum 10% weighting of the total available score.",
      "source_url": "https://www.necplanningsolutions.co.uk/post/the-future-of-nec-contracts-in-the-uk-a-2035-projection",
      "relevance": "medium"
    }
  ],
  "market_context": "- [HIGH] In 2024, the UK construction industry saw a 3.4% growth in the all-Construction Output Price Index. (source: https://www.ons.gov.uk/businessindustryandtrade/constructionindustry/articles/constructionstatistics/2024)\n- [HIGH] New work output prices in the UK construction sector increased by 3.7% in the 12 months leading to December 2024. (source: https://www.ons.gov.uk/businessindustryandtrade/constructionindustry/articles/constructionstatistics/2024)\n- [HIGH] The value of new construction work in Great Britain increased by 1.4% in 2024, reaching £140,684 million. (source: https://www.ons.gov.uk/businessindustryandtrade/constructionindustry/articles/constructionstatistics/2024)\n- [MEDIUM] The UK government infrastructure pipeline as of March 2026 includes 734 planned projects with £718 billion in investment over the next decade. (source: https://www.necplanningsolutions.co.uk/post/the-future-of-nec-contracts-in-the-uk-a-2035-projection)\n- [MEDIUM] NEC contracts are effectively mandated for UK publicly funded construction projects by the Construction Playbook. (source: https://medium.com/@nihanthreddy65/why-nec-contracts-are-revolutionizing-uk-construction-and-what-you-need-to-know-38de679222c8)\n- [MEDIUM] New social value procurement requirements for central government contracts will carry a minimum 10% weighting starting October 2025. (source: https://www.necplanningsolutions.co.uk/post/the-future-of-nec-contracts-in-the-uk-a-2035-projection)"
}