UK construction companies indicated a sustained increase in business activity during September, but the rate of expansion slowed for the second month running. At 52.1 in September, down from 52.9 in August, the seasonally adjusted IHS Markit/CIPS UK Construction Purchasing Managers' Index signalled the weakest upturn in output for six months.

Civil engineering was the worst performing subcategory of construction work, with activity declining at a slightly quicker rate in September. House building and commercial construction continued to increase at a solid pace, although the latest survey indicated weaker growth than in August. A number of firms suggested that subdued economic conditions so far in 2018 remained a factor holding back business activity growth