Activity in the construction sector appears to have risen at the fastest pace so far in 2017, boosted by a sharp increase in civil engineering and housebuilding.
Economists said that a “hardy UK economy and strong client confidence” had contributed to the sharpest uplift in new orders in the sector since the beginning of the year, as well as the fastest rise in new jobs since May 2016.
The purchasing managers’ index for construction, which is considered one of the best indicators of growth in the sector, rose to 53.1 in April, up from 52.2 in March. Any reading above 50 indicates growth in activity, while below 50 signals contraction.
The latest reading was well below the post-crisis peak of 64.6 recorded in January 2014,