Further sharp increases were recorded in business activity and new orders. With workloads rising, and the prospect of new projects in future, companies took on extra staff again. Meanwhile, inflationary pressures moderated during the month.

The headline seasonally adjusted Business Activity Index posted at 57.3 in May. Although slightly below the previous month's reading of 57.8, the index still pointed to a sharp monthly increase in activity and one that was broadly in line with those recorded since February.