UK construction activity records December decline

The purchasing manager index of activity in the UK construction sector unexpectedly fell to 59.2 in December from 60.5 in November, the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply said today.

In the last quarter of 2003, growth in the UK construction sector was the sharpest since the second quarter of 2000. Any reading above 50 indicates growth and the index has now stayed above the 50 watershed point for almost five years now.