Dominick Sandford, Managing Director at IronmongeryDirect and ElectricalDirect, said: “At the height of the pandemic in 2020, almost 80,000 construction workers were jobless. However, new data shows that the situation has vastly improved in recent months, and the sector’s unemployment rate is now at its lowest level since records began
Dominick Sandford, Managing Director at IronmongeryDirect and ElectricalDirect, said: “During the first few months of the pandemic, the job security of construction workers was thrown into serious doubt, and sadly tens of thousands of employees lost their jobs. However, the latest ONS data shows that the situation has really turned
Brits search for local builders on Google 162,238 times a month and now new research has revealed where they are most in-demand. The study, conducted by IronmongeryDirect, the UK’s largest supplier of specialist ironmongery, analysed search data from across the nation.. Exeter is the biggest hotspot, with 1,702 monthly searches
Despite Covid, local authorities spent over £100 million more on construction in 2020/21 than in 2015/16 Welwyn Hatfield Council increased its construction funding the most (5,482%) On average, each local authority spent £28 million on construction in 2020/21 – up 3% New research has revealed the UK local authorities that are increasing their construction funding at the
Construction firms spent £1.36 billion on research and development in the first part of 2018/19 – more than in the whole of 2017/18 The average construction R&D claim is now worth over £70,000 London and South-East England are home to the most innovative construction companies UK construction companies are increasing
Half of tradespeople say social media gets them more work, but most don’t know how to maximise its potential A quarter say that Facebook and Google reviews help get them more customers Builders get the most work from social media, plasterers the least Experts reveal how to get the most
Marco Verdonkschot, Managing Director at IronmongeryDirect, the UK’s largest supplier of specialist ironmongery, reviews the construction industry in 2020 and looks ahead to next year: “2020 has been a year like no other, with every area of life facing incredible challenges and disruption. The construction industry is certainly no exception to that and
Marco Verdonkschot, Managing Director at IronmongeryDirect, the UK’s largest supplier of specialist ironmongery, has commented on the potential impact of a second lockdown on the construction industry: “With rising case numbers and hospital admissions, the announcement of a second national lockdown was perhaps inevitable, but businesses will be hit hard once again. However,
Joinery businesses are the cheapest trade to set up, costing around £6,600 Self-employed plumbers recover their start-up costs the quickest – under six weeks Joinery businesses are among the cheapest trade companies to set up in the UK, averaging nearly £2,500 less than other sectors, new research has revealed. With
Marco Verdonkschot, Managing Director at IronmongeryDirect & ElectricalDirect, has commented on the latest furlough figures for the construction industry: “This morning, the Office for National Statistics released the latest figures for the government’s job retention scheme and it’s natural for them to be a bit concerning. “The number of construction
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Dominick Sandford, Managing Director at IronmongeryDirect and ElectricalDirect, said: “At the height of the pandemic in 2020, almost 80,000 construction workers were jobless. However, new data shows that the situation has vastly improved in recent months, and the sector’s unemployment rate is now at its lowest level since records began in 1995. “In fact, at 36,000 (June-August 2022), the number of people out of work in the industry is now less than half of what it was two years ago. It’s also 11,000 fewer than the last data period (May-July 2022), and down 27,000 year-on-year (YOY). “Furthermore, job vacancies in the sector are on the rise, so the number of employed workers could increase further. Between July and September, there were 45,000 listings advertised, which was 1,000 more than the previous quarter, and 1,000 more than this time last year. “Compared to 2021, there is seemingly more work available too, as the average number of hours worked each week is higher. Twelve months ago, construction employees typically did 36.1-hour weeks, but that has now risen to 36.3. “Accordingly, earnings are also considerably greater. In construction, average weekly income now stands at £692, which is £29 higher than last year, while in the electricity, gas and water supply sector, weekly wages are now at £767, up £40 YOY. “These pay increases must be interpreted in the context of the current Cost of Living crisis and rocketing inflation rates. The recent statistics indicate that salaries have increased approximately 4% vs. this time last year, however current inflation rates sit at around 9%. Tradespeople are fuelling Britain’s growth, and salaries must continue rising to help offset soaring living costs in order to attract more professionals to the sector. The new data suggests that the industry is in a fairly healthy position to be able to support its workforce moving forwards, however there’s still more to be done.” For more information on IronmongeryDirect, visit: https://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/ For more information on ElectricalDirect, visit: https://www.electricaldirect.co.uk/
Dominick Sandford, Managing Director at IronmongeryDirect and ElectricalDirect, said: “During the first few months of the pandemic, the job security of construction workers was thrown into serious doubt, and sadly tens of thousands of employees lost their jobs. However, the latest ONS data shows that the situation has really turned around. “At its peak in summer 2020, almost 30,000 workers were made redundant over a three-month period (July-September). “In contrast, the data released this month shows that just 3,000 people in the industry lost their jobs between March and May. While this is obviously still 3,000 too many, it shows a significant improvement. “In fact, 3,000 is the lowest that this figure has ever been, since records began thirteen years ago in 2009. “Elsewhere, average wages are on the rise, which, in the context of a major cost of living crisis, will be a welcome relief to many, albeit slight. Typical weekly earnings rose by £20 to £714, which is the second highest average ever recorded. “It’s really good news that redundancies are on the decline, and pay is increasing, but this pattern will have to continue in the coming months in order to offset the financial hardship that the country is currently experiencing.” For more information on IronmongeryDirect, visit: https://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/ For more information on ElectricalDirect, visit: https://www.electricaldirect.co.uk/ References:
Brits search for local builders on Google 162,238 times a month and now new research has revealed where they are most in-demand. The study, conducted by IronmongeryDirect, the UK’s largest supplier of specialist ironmongery, analysed search data from across the nation.. Exeter is the biggest hotspot, with 1,702 monthly searches for local builders, on average. 1. Exeter – 1,702 monthly searches (14 per 1,000 people) 2. Bath – 1,277 (13) 3. Bedford – 1,053 (11) 4. Preston – 1,078 (11) 5. York – 1,740 (11) The most in-demand trades across the UK are: The people of Bath are most likely to seek the services of a tradesperson, with 103 monthly Google searches per 1,000 residents – the highest rate in the UK. The Somerset city is followed by Preston (102) and Bedford (88). However, this varies by trade, with Exeter being the most lucrative city for many workers. Dominick Sandford, Managing Director at IronmongeryDirect, said: “Tradespeople are incredibly valued members of communities all over the UK, but it’s interesting to see exactly where their skills are most sought-after at the moment. “For people looking to enter a trade or set up their own business, data like this could be really useful when choosing a location to establish yourself, as it’s a helpful indicator of potential demand for your services.” To see the top five locations where each trade is most in-demand, visit: https://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/blog/the-uk-cities-where-each-trade-is-most-in-demand
Despite Covid, local authorities spent over £100 million more on construction in 2020/21 than in 2015/16 Welwyn Hatfield Council increased its construction funding the most (5,482%) On average, each local authority spent £28 million on construction in 2020/21 – up 3% New research has revealed the UK local authorities that are increasing their construction funding at the fastest rate, with some councils upping their spend by more than 5,000% over five years. IronmongeryDirect issued Freedom of Information requests to each local authority and asked how much they spent on construction projects, including buildings, roads and railways, in the 2015/16 and 2020/21 financial years, to see how investment has changed over time. Despite the impact of the pandemic, almost half (49%) of the local authorities that responded spent more on construction in 2020/21 than they did five years earlier. Funding across the UK rose by over £100 million (3%) from £4.63 billion in 2015/16, to £4.77 billion in 2020/21. In the last financial year, each local authority splashed out an average of £28 million on construction. Twenty-nine councils more than doubled the amount they spent on the industry and the average increase across the country was a remarkable 154%. The average increase stands so high because nine local authorities saw rises of over 1,000%. Welwyn Hatfield council, in the East of England, reported the greatest increase – a staggering 5,482% (£763,863 up to over £42.5 million). Local authorities that have increased construction at the fastest rate over the last five years (2015/16 to 2020/21): Out of all the local authorities, Leeds City Council spent the largest overall amount, with a total of £389.8 million allocated for construction. The authority also recorded nationwide highs for both general construction costs (£272.1 million) and road infrastructure (£117.6 million). Birmingham City Council, meanwhile, spent the largest amount on building construction (£279.8 million), whilst Pembrokeshire Council spent the most on open spaces (£9 million), such as parks, play areas and gardens. Hertfordshire County Council topped the list for bridges, having spent £9.6 million. Dominick Sandford, Managing Director at IronmongeryDirect, said: “After the difficulties the construction industry has faced over the last two years due to the Covid 19 pandemic, it’s incredibly reassuring to see large scale increases in local funding across the UK. “With the industry continuing to recover from recent setbacks, it’s a positive sign that many local authorities are feeling confident enough to increasing their investment into local infrastructure and construction work.” To explore an interactive map showing the amount of construction funding in your area, visit: https://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/research/construction-funding/
Construction firms spent £1.36 billion on research and development in the first part of 2018/19 – more than in the whole of 2017/18 The average construction R&D claim is now worth over £70,000 London and South-East England are home to the most innovative construction companies UK construction companies are increasing their investment in innovation, with research and development (R&D) expenditure rising by £70 million, according to new figures released by HMRC[1]. Analysis by IronmongeryDirect, the UK’s largest supplier of specialist ironmongery, has revealed that in the first part of 2018/19, construction firms spent £1.36 billion on qualifying projects. Even though many claims have yet to be submitted for that financial year, this is already 5.4% more than the whole of 2017/18 (£1.29 billion). Using the government’s R&D Tax Credit Scheme, companies can claim back up to 33p for every pound spent on R&D activity. This includes any project that aims to advance the industry by researching or developing a new process, product or service, or improving an existing one[2]. For such work completed during 2018/19, construction companies have already claimed £235 million of Corporation Tax relief. More companies in the sector are starting to take advantage of the scheme, as the latest data shows overall number of claims is also on the rise. So far, construction businesses have made 3,340 claims for R&D funding, which is a year-on-year increase of 1.8% (60). The industry now represents 5.7% of all R&D claims in the UK. The majority of the construction-related R&D projects are classed as ‘specialised construction activities’. These account for two-thirds (66%) of the sector’s claims, way ahead of ‘construction of buildings’ in second place (21%). However, the most valuable construction R&D claims are those labelled as ‘civil engineering’. Across the whole industry, the average R&D claim in 2018/19 was worth £70,359 – almost 5% higher (£3,286) than the year before (£67,073) – but the figure is far greater for civil engineering projects. The typical amount of tax relief awarded to such work is £129,412. The totals also vary significantly across the UK. The most innovative area is London, with more claims made in the capital than any other part of the nation (455). But it is Northern Ireland where construction represents the greatest percentage of a region’s total R&D claims. More than one in ten (11%) of the country’s qualifying projects fall within the industry (180/1,605). Despite only making the fourth highest number of claims, construction firms in the North-West of England are investing the most money in innovation. Its businesses have already registered £145 million of R&D spend for 2018/19 – more than any other area. The regions which have made the most and least claims for construction R&D funding for 2018/19, so far, are: 1) London – 455 claims (£55m) 2) South East – 425 (£85m) 3) East of England – 400 (£5m) 4) North West – 375 (£145m) 5) West Midlands – 295 (£10m) 6) Yorkshire and the Humber – 255 (£85m) 7) South West – 250 (£10m) 8) East Midlands – 215 (£10m) 9) Northern Ireland – 180 (<£5m) 10) North East – 165 (£40m) 11) Scotland – 165 (£10m) 12) Wales – 155 (<£5m) Dominick Sandford, Director and Head of Merchandising & Marketing at IronmongeryDirect, said: “It’s encouraging to see that so many UK construction companies are taking advantage of the R&D Tax Credit scheme. Our businesses are world-leaders for innovation and the HMRC initiative is designed to reward them for their pioneering work. “The tax relief can provide a welcome boost for construction firms and any money saved can even be reinvested to finance further research.” For expert advice about R&D tax relief, including whether your company is eligible, visit: https://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/blog/industry-innovation
Half of tradespeople say social media gets them more work, but most don’t know how to maximise its potential A quarter say that Facebook and Google reviews help get them more customers Builders get the most work from social media, plasterers the least Experts reveal how to get the most out of your social media trade platforms Social media has transformed businesses in all industries, but despite helping many tradespeople get more work, a staggering 85% say they don’t know how to use it effectively. New research[1] by IronmongeryDirect, the UK’s largest supplier of specialist ironmongery, has explored how trade businesses currently use social media and how many are currently missing out on its benefits. Almost half (47%) of tradespeople say that having a social media presence helps them get more work, with Facebook being the main platform (22%). This is for several reasons, including the ability to build stronger client relationships (15%), get ahead of competitors (15%) and interact with community groups (22%). Such is the power of social media, one in six (16%) tradespeople believe it is now just as important, if not more, than traditional word of mouth. Because of this, 45% now actively advertise on at least one social platform and more than one in ten (12%) use social media as their only form of marketing. However, despite recognising its importance, the vast majority of tradespeople say they are not using social media effectively. Nearly nine in ten (85%) don’t know how to get the most out of it, with plumbers the least likely to maximise its potential (90%). Joiners are the most social savvy of all the trades, yet 79% still don’t know how best to use their channels to help their business. While social media helps all trades bring in more work, builders are the most likely to attract new customers with it. Two thirds (66%) of builders say their social channels help bring in business, followed by bricklayers (53%) and landscapers (51%). Plasterers are the least likely to see an increase in work (25%). The trades most likely to get more work by using social media are: 1) Builders – 66% 2) Bricklayers – 53% 3) Landscapers – 51% 4) Painter / Decorators – 46% 5) Electricians – 45% 6)Plumbers – 45% 7) Building Surveyors – 37% 8) Carpenters – 33% 9) Joiners – 33% 10) Plasterers – 25% One business that has directly seen the benefits of social media is The Brighton Loft Co, a loft conversion company in East Sussex. Gilles Buxton, Director, said: “When the pandemic hit this year, we started sharing our projects on social media and since we’ve started doing that, we’ve seen an increase in business and enquiries. “In 2019, we had 40 enquiries, but we’ve already had 72 this year – so we are already up 80% year-on-year, which is fantastic news.” On average, female tradespeople dedicate the most time to social media promotion, with over half (51%) pursuing leads online, compared to just 41% of men. They are also more likely to ask customers to leave reviews online (28% vs 23%) and such digital feedback is growing in significance. Over 20 million business reviews are posted on Google every day[2] and they can have a huge impact on a company’s performance. A recent study found that businesses with positive scores on review sites can earn up to 58% more revenue[3]. Overall, a quarter (25%) of trade businesses ask for reviews and a similar amount (26%) believe that positive comments can directly lead to more custom. However, more than a fifth (21%) of tradespeople worry about receiving negative reviews and the impact that might have. Charlie Carlton, Head of Digital at IronmongeryDirect, said: “Whether you’re a start-up looking to increase brand awareness, or a larger firm trying to expand, most trade businesses can benefit from being on social media, so it’s definitely worth creating accounts if you don’t already have some. “For those who already have social channels, our research has shown that the majority aren’t currently getting the most out of them. However, it doesn’t take that much time or effort to create a basic profile that can start to pick up work.” For expert advice on how to get the most out of social media for your trade business, visit: https://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/blog/six-tips-for-boosting-your-trade-business-using-social
Marco Verdonkschot, Managing Director at IronmongeryDirect, the UK’s largest supplier of specialist ironmongery, reviews the construction industry in 2020 and looks ahead to next year: “2020 has been a year like no other, with every area of life facing incredible challenges and disruption. The construction industry is certainly no exception to that and has had to deal with unprecedented levels of cuts and job losses. However, it is ending the year strongly, so there is certainly hope for a full recovery in 2021. “The pandemic has hit the industry hard, with the lockdown causing construction output to plummet. In April, it fell by a staggering 40.2% – the highest monthly fall since such records began in 2010. However, since that drastic fall, output has increased every month. Between May and June, it grew by 23.5%, which was also a record. “While output remains down year-on-year, in September, it was only 1.8% below that in March, when restrictions were first put in place. In fact, output in certain sectors, such as Repair and Maintenance, Private Housing and Infrastructure, have already recovered to March levels, which is great to see. “As the situation has improved, the average number of hours worked has risen, which is a really healthy sign. Between July and September, the typical construction employee worked 30.7 hours a week. Since the start of lockdown, when this figure dropped as low as 26.6, it has risen continuously. This has led to rises in weekly earnings, from a low of £577 in April, to £642 in September. “With increases in the amount of new work, it’s not surprising that construction firms are starting to hire again. Between August and October, there were 27,000 job vacancies across the UK, which is nearly 240% more than between April and June, when there were just 8,000 spots available. “During the more difficult months, lots of construction companies took advantage of the government’s Job Retention Scheme. The latest data shows that £3.5 billion of claims have been made so far. With the Chancellor extending the scheme until March 2021, many will continue to rely on it, but the number has been falling rapidly since April, when over 720,000 construction workers were furloughed. In August, there were just over 185,000 people being supported by the government, which is 74% less than when it peaked. “One interesting result of the pandemic is a slight increase in the number of self-employed workers in the industry. Many people decided to set up on their own after being made redundant or realising they wanted a fresh start. The number of individuals registered as self-employed in both the construction of buildings sector and specialised construction activities rose between March and June this year, by 1,000 and 6,000 respectively. “The vast majority of these new self-employed workers are women, with an increase of 10,000 across these two areas. In contrast, there were 2,000 fewer men registered as self-employed in these sectors in June than in March, so it is definitely female construction workers leading the charge in this space.” “Overall, after a really difficult year, there are definite signs of recovery, with output and job vacancies increasing, and the number of furloughed workers dropping considerably. While the rate of recovery will inevitably slow after record growth, hopefully it won’t be long before we are back at pre-lockdown levels.” For more information about IronmongeryDirect, visit: https://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/
Marco Verdonkschot, Managing Director at IronmongeryDirect, the UK’s largest supplier of specialist ironmongery, has commented on the potential impact of a second lockdown on the construction industry: “With rising case numbers and hospital admissions, the announcement of a second national lockdown was perhaps inevitable, but businesses will be hit hard once again. However, the construction industry is exempt from workplace closures and this will hopefully allow recent signs of recovery to continue. “Driven by increases in new work (17.5%), construction output rose by 3% in August (the latest data available) to nearly £12,500 million, marking the fourth successive month of growth for the industry. Such sustained growth is a healthy indicator of confidence returning to the sector, with companies across the UK willing to commission fresh projects. New private housing has been performing particularly well and will be boosted by the news that such work is unaffected by a second lockdown. “The Prime Minister also announced that the furlough scheme will be extended until December, with employees still receiving 80% of their salary. While the number of construction workers on furlough has been dropping rapidly each month – the quickest proportionate decrease across all sectors – the latest data shows that there were still over 275,000 people on the scheme in July. Therefore, the extension of the funding will be greatly welcomed by many in the industry. “Despite being able to continue operations, the second national lockdown will undoubtedly put extra strain on the construction industry and we may see the rate of recovery slow down further. “However, the sector is proving to be incredibly resilient and has shown this year that it can rebound strongly after challenging setbacks. The government’s announcement at the weekend has given the industry a chance to continue its growth and hopefully it can end the year in a strong position.” For more information about IronmongeryDirect, visit: www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/
Joinery businesses are the cheapest trade to set up, costing around £6,600 Self-employed plumbers recover their start-up costs the quickest – under six weeks Joinery businesses are among the cheapest trade companies to set up in the UK, averaging nearly £2,500 less than other sectors, new research has revealed. With over 40% of construction firms expected to make redundancies due to the virus[1], tradespeople may be considering going self-employed. IronmongeryDirect, the UK’s largest supplier of specialist ironmongery, has identified the cheapest industries in which to do so. The study added up the typical costs people pay when entering the UK’s four most popular trades[2] (joinery, building, electrical, plumbing), with everything from insurance to marketing. Joiners pay the least, with the average set-up fee totalling £6,642. With the typical daily rate for joiners around £150[3], these initial costs could be repaid within nine, five-day weeks. Despite being the most expensive businesses to set up, plumbers can expect to earn back their investment quickest, as they are able to charge the highest daily rates. Averaging nearly £350 a day[4], the £9,124 start-up cost could be repaid within six working weeks. The trade businesses which are the cheapest to set up in the UK are: 1) Joinery – £6,642 (repaid in nine weeks, £150 a day) 2) Building – £6,791 (nine weeks, £160 a day[5]) 3) Electrical – £6,873 (six weeks, £245 a day[6]) 4) Plumbing – £9,124 (six weeks, £347.50 a day) One of the most significant outgoings is accreditation. New plumbing companies pay the most in this department, with organisations like HETAS and OFTEC charging substantial sums for membership. Such credentials, combined with the cost of other important courses, like First Aid at Work, the Gas Safe Register and Asbestos Awareness, can set you back over £3,000, which is significantly more than other trades. Some expenses, however, are necessary across all sectors, such as insurance, marketing, company registration and van hire. A new trade business can expect to pay over £600 a year to completely cover themselves with insurance. Contractors All Risk insurance is one of the most costly forms of protection, starting at £298 a year, but includes cover against both property damage and third-party injury, so is worth the investment. Marketing is another significant outlay, but an important one nonetheless. Paying out for business cards, flyers, logo design and a new website usually costs at least £600 pounds. However, such costs will pay for themselves if they lead to a surge in new clients. Finally, there’s the crucial cost of equipment. A tradesperson may have accumulated tools during their career, but if they are new to the industry, there are tools they will need before taking on work. Joiners pay the most here, with key equipment adding up to £600. Circular and table saws are the biggest outlays, so it could be worth looking for second-hand retailers, whilst ensuring the products are high quality, as income will depend on their performance. The full breakdown of costs per trade is as follows: Type of Cost Joiner Builder Electrician Plumber Accreditation £1,005.00 £1,041.00 £1,005.00 £3,481.00 Trade Association £117.00 £472.80 £585.00 £231.00 Marketing £610.54 £610.54 £610.54 £610.54 Insurance £638.21 £638.21 £638.21 £638.21 Equipment £599.38 £355.97 £361.87 £490.98 Other (storage, van hire, business registration) £3,672.00 £3,672.00 £3,672.00 £3,672.00 Total £6,642 £6,791 £6,873 £9,124 Andy Porter, a self-employed carpenter from Southampton, has given his three top tips for people looking to set up their own trade business: 1) Look at local adverts and see what similar trades are doing (e.g. services, pricing) 2) Get quote and invoice terms and conditions in place early and make sure they are watertight 3) Make sure you have plenty of money saved up as cash flow is incredibly important Marco Verdonkschot, Managing Director at IronmongeryDirect and ElectricalDirect, said: “Many tradespeople will aim to run their own businesses one day, so it’s useful to get an idea of how much it would cost to do so. While these sums can appear quite daunting, most of the expenses will directly improve your service or help you win more work, so are worth the investment in the long run. “Owning your own business can be incredibly satisfying, so to help those who are considering going it alone, we’ve compiled a list of tips on how to do so effectively.” For eight pieces of advice from tradespeople who have set up their own business, visit: https://www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/blog/eight-top-tips-for-setting-up-your-own-trades-business
Marco Verdonkschot, Managing Director at IronmongeryDirect & ElectricalDirect, has commented on the latest furlough figures for the construction industry: “This morning, the Office for National Statistics released the latest figures for the government’s job retention scheme and it’s natural for them to be a bit concerning. “The number of construction workers that have been furloughed has risen to 769,300, up by 17,300 from July. Three in five (60%) employees in the industry are now being paid by the scheme. “The number of employers having to sign up also rose, with 174,000 now enrolled (up from 171,400). This means that over three-quarters (76%) of construction companies are now furloughing at least some of their workforce. “As a result, the value of claims for furlough payments increased too. In August, construction employers claimed £2,931m to help pay their staff, up £324m from the previous month. “Some areas of the country are having to rely on the scheme more than others. The South West of England has furloughed the highest percentage of its construction workers (63%). The least affected is the South East of England (55%), although it experienced the UK’s equal highest rise between July and August (2%), with 2,500 more employees furloughed. “However, Scotland remains the worst hit, with a staggering 73% of its construction workforce (89,200 out of 121,500) being paid by the government. Northern Ireland is a close second, with 71% currently furloughed, with Wales and England a little behind (62% and 58% respectively). “It is positive that so many construction workers are receiving income during these difficult times, rather than companies simply making them redundant. However, when the furlough scheme ends at the end of October, we need to hope that the demand for work is great enough that employers don’t need to let staff go. “Thankfully, there are some positive signs that this might be the case, as while construction output remains around a quarter (24.8%) lower than it was pre-lockdown, it increased by 23.5% between May and June – the greatest rise since records began.” For more information about IronmongeryDirect, visit: www.ironmongerydirect.co.uk/.
