Construction orders build at fastest pace since 2014

The easing of lockdown helped Britain’s construction sector to expand at a near record pace last month, an industry survey suggests. IHS Markit’s purchasing managers’ index (PMI) for the sector came in at 61.6 in April, down slightly from 61.7 in March but still considerably above the 50 mark that separates growth from contraction. “The UK construction sector is experiencing its strongest growth phase for six and a half years, with the recovery now evenly balanced across the house building, commercial and civil engineering categories,” Tim Moore, economics director at IHS Markit, said. New orders rose at their fastest pace since September 2014 as the end of lockdown spurred contract awards on previously delayed commercial development projects.

Daily Mail (07/05/2021) Evening Standard (07/05/2021) The Guardian (07/05/2021) The Times (07/05/2021)