Markit and the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply released their construction purchasing managers' index (PMI) for the U.K. on Monday. The index fell to 57.6 in December from 59.4 in November, missing expectations for a decline to 59.2. The U.K. construction sector expanded at the slowest pace in 17 months.

A reading above 50 indicates growth in the sector.

Civil engineering showed a decline in output. That was the first decline since May 2013.