DEATHS in the construction industry jumped by 8 per cent last year, union Ucatt said yesterday exposing the serious dangers of the government’s health and safety cuts.

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) published figures earlier this week which suggested that the total number of deaths at work decreased in the period 2013-2014 — down to 133 from 150 the previous year.

But the construction industry, traditionally one of the most dangerous sectors, saw an increase in fatalities with 42 deaths as opposed to 39 the previous year.