April data highlighted another challenging month for the UK construction sector as business activity decreased and cost inflation intensified. The headline seasonally adjusted S&P Global UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index™ (PMI®) – an index tracking changes in total industry activity – registered 39.7 in April, down from 45.6 in March and indicative of a sharp fall in overall business activity. Reduced output has been seen in each month since January 2025 and the latest reading was the weakest for five months. Civil engineering activity (index at 35.3) registered the steepest decline, followed by house ... (full story)