Markit's and the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply's construction purchasing managers' index (PMI) for the U.K. fell to 54.2 in April from 57.8 in March, missing expectations for a decline to 57.5. It was second consecutive decline.

The decline was driven by slower rise of output and new orders. Output and new orders rose at the slowest pace since June 2013 due to the uncertainty ahead of the election this month.

Residential building activity slowed in April, commercial construction increased, while civil engineering work fell for the first time in four months.