Builders Merchants Journal – BMJ Publishing to Builders Merchants and the UK merchanting industry for more than 95 years
Confidence in the UK economy among plumbing and heating firms has dropped to its lowest level since reporting began according to findings within the Q3 2025 State of Trade report from the Plumbing and Heating Federation (SNIPEF), the principal employers’ association for the plumbing and heating profession.
The sharp deterioration comes just weeks before the Autumn Budget, with firms calling for clear signals from government on business investment, support for skills, and action to ease the cost of living.
Only 6% indicated optimism about the UK’s economic outlook, while pessimism has climbed to 64%, compared with 49% in Q2 and 46% a year ago.
SNIPEF chief executive Fiona Hodgson said: “Although I am relieved to see confidence in our industry has remained relatively steady over the last quarter, the collapse in optimism for the wider UK economy is striking. It reflects a deeper malaise being felt across construction, especially in housebuilding, where repeated government promises of a renaissance have yet to materialise.”
