Construction sector experiences further drop in activity

The construction industry suffered a further drop in activity last month, according to a new Ulster Bank survey.

The bank's latest Construction PMI Report says activity was down in both housing and commercial construction due to a lack of new projects.

Employment in the construction sector also dropped for the fifth month in a row, the sharpest decline since 2001.

Ulster Bank's chief economist Pat McArdle says the sector is unlikely to pick up for some time, with further weakening expected in the commercial sector in particular.