{
  "query": "UK construction cost inflation 2024-2026 steel sector",
  "claims": [
    {
      "claim": "Fabricated structural steel prices in the UK increased by 8.2% in the year leading up to the end of March 2026.",
      "verbatim_quote": "The price of aggregates is up 8.4 per cent, fabricated structural steel 8.2 per cent and non-aqueous paint 6.1 per cent in the year to the end of March 2026, recently released government figures show.",
      "source_url": "https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/sections/long-reads/why-are-construction-material-prices-rising-14-05-2026/",
      "relevance": "high"
    },
    {
      "claim": "UK steel prices in 2024 experienced moderate increases due to stabilized energy costs and increased import competition.",
      "verbatim_quote": "In 2024, UK steel prices saw moderate increases as energy costs settled and imports from Turkey and Asia increased competitiveness.",
      "source_url": "https://coremetsteel.com/news-insights/uk-steel-price-forecast-2025-2026/",
      "relevance": "high"
    },
    {
      "claim": "Steel prices for 2025-2026 are projected to rise gradually, driven by construction demand and global scrap trends.",
      "verbatim_quote": "UK steel prices are expected to rise gradually due to stronger construction demand, global scrap trends, and steady energy costs.",
      "source_url": "https://coremetsteel.com/news-insights/uk-steel-price-forecast-2025-2026/",
      "relevance": "high"
    },
    {
      "claim": "By April 2026, UK construction input cost inflation reached its highest level since June 2022, driven by geopolitical conflict.",
      "verbatim_quote": "The poll of UK construction companies found that input cost inflation – which accounts for expenses such as raw materials, energy and labour – rose last month to the highest level since June 2022 when there was a spike in commodity prices caused by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.",
      "source_url": "https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/may/07/uk-construction-firms-experiencing-sharpest-cost-rise-30-years",
      "relevance": "medium"
    },
    {
      "claim": "Overall construction material inflation for all building work rose 2.6% in the year to March 2026.",
      "verbatim_quote": "Inflation for materials used across all types of building work rose 2.6 per cent, while that used in new housing increased by 2.9 per cent, and repair and maintenance by 2.6 per cent.",
      "source_url": "https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/sections/long-reads/why-are-construction-material-prices-rising-14-05-2026/",
      "relevance": "medium"
    }
  ],
  "market_context": "- [HIGH] Fabricated structural steel prices in the UK increased by 8.2% in the year leading up to the end of March 2026. (source: https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/sections/long-reads/why-are-construction-material-prices-rising-14-05-2026/)\n- [HIGH] UK steel prices in 2024 experienced moderate increases due to stabilized energy costs and increased import competition. (source: https://coremetsteel.com/news-insights/uk-steel-price-forecast-2025-2026/)\n- [HIGH] Steel prices for 2025-2026 are projected to rise gradually, driven by construction demand and global scrap trends. (source: https://coremetsteel.com/news-insights/uk-steel-price-forecast-2025-2026/)\n- [MEDIUM] By April 2026, UK construction input cost inflation reached its highest level since June 2022, driven by geopolitical conflict. (source: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2026/may/07/uk-construction-firms-experiencing-sharpest-cost-rise-30-years)\n- [MEDIUM] Overall construction material inflation for all building work rose 2.6% in the year to March 2026. (source: https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/sections/long-reads/why-are-construction-material-prices-rising-14-05-2026/)"
}