CIPS/Markit: Construction sentiment improves

Tue, 3 Feb 2009

Activity in the construction sector hit a three-month high in January.

The latest seasonally adjusted CIPS/Markit UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index increased from 29.3 index points in December, to 34.5 in January. However, the survey still warned the figure pointed to a “substantial” monthly contraction.  

Alex Stewart, construction account manager at technical recruiter NRL, told Recruiterthe company was concentrating on pockets of demand.

“We haven’t seen any pick up in activity, if anything we have seen a number if cancellations and projects held back.”

However, Stewart added several fabrication clients had increased their workforce, including one oil related module fabrication client situated on the East coast.