UK construction activity boosted by house building and commercial projects in November

UK construction sector

The Markit/CIPS UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index^® has revealed an increase from 59.4 in October to 62.6 in November 2013. The figure represents the seventh consecutive month of increased business activity and the highest rise in overall activity in more than six years. In November, house building experienced the fastest growth in activity for a decade. Commercial construction also picked up, with the highest expansion rate since September 2007. Furthermore, construction companies have also expressed a greater level of optimism for the year ahead.

“Construction activity continues to spring back to life during the final months of 2013. Sustained improvements in infrastructure and residential building helped keep the sector on a strong recovery path in November,” said Tim Moore, Senior Economist at Markit. “That said, construction growth is still coming from a low base as output levels rebound from a deep and protracted double-dip recession that only really ended this summer.”

“Therefore, while construction’s current growth trajectory may be the steepest for over six years, there is still a huge loss of output to recoup before the sector reaches its pre-recession peak. Looking ahead, there are a number of positive signs that improvements in activity levels will be maintained, as job creation picked up again in November and confidence about the business outlook reached its highest level since September 2009,” added Moore

Cement sales

According to statistics compiled by the Mineral Products Association, domestic cement sales reached 748 000 t in September 2013, an increase on September 2012’s 646 000 t sold. Approximately 2.186 million t of cement was sold in Great Britain in 2Q13, compared to the 1.986 million t sold in the corresponding period in 2012. On a regional basis, 91 000 t of cement was sold in Wales in 2Q13 and 221 000 t in Scotland. In England, the highest sales volumes were seen in the South East of the country, where they reached 577 000 t. On the opposite end of the spectrum was North East England with 79 000 t of cement.

Edited from various sources by Louise Fordham

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/europe-cis/12122013/uk_construction_output_rises_in_november_2013_504/