Recovery continues in British construction sector

The recovery in the British construction industry strengthened in February as activity surged to an eight-month high, boosting hopes that the UK's economy will return to growth.

The latest Markit/CIPS Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) survey for the construction sector - where a reading above 50 indicates growth - rose to 56.5 in February from 53.7 in January, as it continued to bounce back from the disruption caused by the snow in December.