After showing some signs of resilience at the start of 2026, the UK construction sector recorded an accelerated downturn in output levels during the latest survey period. The seasonally adjusted S&P Global UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index™ (PMI®) – a headline index tracking changes in total industry activity – registered 44.5 in February, down from January's seven-month high (46.4) and indicative of a solid reduction in overall business activity. Anecdotal evidence mostly cited weak order books and a lack of new project starts. Several firms also noted that exceptionally wet weather had delayed some work ... (full story)