February data highlighted a robust increase in overall business activity across the UK construction sector, thereby ending a two-month period of decline. The rate of growth was the strongest since May 2022, supported by a marked rebound in commercial work and a positive contribution from civil engineering activity. In contrast, housing activity decreased for the third month running.
At the same time, the latest survey pointed to the least widespread supplier delays since January 2020 and a slowdown in input cost inflation. The overall rate of purchase price inflation was the lowest for 27 months in February.
The headline seasonally adjusted S&P Global /CIPS UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) – which measures month-on-month changes in total industry activity – registered 54.6 in February, up from 48.4 in January and above the neutral 50.0 threshold for the first time in three months. The latest reading was the highest since May 2022.
Commercial construction was the best-performing area in February (index at 55.3), with the rate of expansion the steepest for nine months. Civil engineering activity also returned to growth in February (index at 52.3), although the rate of expansion was only modest.
Construction companies noted a fall in residential building work for the third consecutive month in February (index at 47.4). The speed of the downturn eased since January, however. Survey respondents commented on subdued market conditions due to elevated interest rates, alongside cutbacks to new house building projects in anticipation of weaker demand.
Total new work picked up in February, as signalled by an improvement in order books for the first time since November 2022. Construction companies reported signs of a turnaround in demand for commercial projects due to the improving near-term economic outlook.
Tim Moore, Economics Director at S&P Global Market Intelligence, which compiles the survey said: "Business activity in the UK construction sector returned to growth during February as a rebound in commercial work and civil engineering output helped to compensate for housing market weakness. Some firms noted that fading recession fears and an improving global economic outlook had boosted client confidence in the commercial segment. At the same time, work on major infrastructure projects such as HS2 contributed to the expansion of civil engineering activity in February.
Dr John Glen, Chief Economist at the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply, said: "The overall figure paints a bright picture of progress in the construction sector with a robust jump in output last month. Supply deliveries were at their most improved since January 2020 and some commentators mentioned sourcing closer to home to avoid logjams in supply chains caused by China’s Covid policy and the war in Ukraine.
"Builders themselves remained cheerful as optimism rose sharply and almost half of the survey’s respondents believed business would improve in 2023. With the slowest inflationary rises for raw materials since November 2020 this offered some relief, and it was cheaper transportation costs that helped offset salary and energy costs which were still rising."
