YORKSHIRE is set to lose 12,000 jobs in the construction industry this year, says a major report today.

The study by training body CITB-Construction Skills forecasts a 6% fall in the number of people working in the industry in Yorkshire this year – equating to about 12,000.

The figure, which is double the national average, reflects a slump in demand as the economy continues to stutter and Government cutbacks hit public sector developments.

The report, which looks at prospects for the industry between now and 2016, said: “Yorkshire and Humber is set for a challenging year ahead with growth expected to be slow and uneven.

“The road to recovery may be longer than first anticipated as the economy continues to be plagued by uncertainty – with conditions not set to improve much before 2013.”

The report predicted no growth for the region’s construction industry over the next five years, but added: “Over the medium-term, employment growth is set to fall back slightly before settling into a period of slow and steady growth.

“The number of people employed in the industry in Yorkshire and Humber will reach 216,310 by 2016, which is 3% higher than 2012 forecasted levels. However, this remains 7% below the 2010 level.”