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UK construction slides again, pulled down by weak housebuilding, PMI shows
Surveyed firms cited subdued demand and fewer new projects as housebuilding activity fell sharply, while construction output declined for a third month.
- On Friday, the S&P Global UK Construction Purchasing Managers' Index fell to 44.3 in August from 44.7 in July, marking the 20th consecutive month of contraction.
- Housebuilding activity deteriorated sharply, driving the overall decline despite minor improvements in the commercial and civil engineering sectors.
- Tim Moore, economics director at S&P Global Market Intelligence, cited "sluggish demand conditions and low client confidence" as primary factors, with higher energy prices and elevated interest rates further weighing on demand.
- Weakness in the housebuilding sector underscores the challenge facing Prime Minister Andy Burnham, who intends to ramp up social housing supply amid persistent uncertainty over planning reforms.
- In contrast, the broader UK all-sector PMI—which combines manufacturing, services, and construction data—rose to a six-month high of 51.8 in August, illustrating divergence between construction and the wider economy.
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Construction Output Falls at Faster Pace Amid Drop in Housing Activity
Read the latest magazine Construction Output Falls at Faster Pace Amid Sharp Drop in Housing Activity Sharp decline in residential work Slower reductions in new orders and employment Input price inflation eases to six-month low 4 September 2026 Industry News 4 September 2026 There was a sustained downturn in business activity across the UK construction sector in August, led by weakness in the residential building segment. The seasonall…
Coverage Details
Total News Sources14
Leaning Left3Leaning Right1Center3Last UpdatedBias Distribution43% Left, 43% Center
Bias Distribution
- 43% of the sources lean Left, 43% of the sources are Center
43% Center
L 43%
C 43%
14%
Factuality
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