United Kingdom Construction PMI2008-2021 Data | 2022-2023 Forecast | Calendar

The IHS Markit/CIPS UK Construction PMI dropped to 55.2 in August 2021, from 58.7 in the previous month and below market expectations of 56.9. The latest reading pointed to the softest pace of expansion in the sector since February as restricted supply of materials and transport began to weigh on overall activity. Commercial work was the best performing broad category of construction output in August, even as growth eased to a six-month low, followed by housebuilding and civil engineering. Total new work rose the least since March, while the pace of job creation slowed to a four-month low as additional cost burdens and a lack of skilled workers began to weigh on the rate of hiring. On the price front, input cost inflation accelerated to the second-fastest rate in the 24-year history of the survey. Looking ahead, construction companies remained highly upbeat about their growth prospects over the coming 12 months.

The IHS Markit/CIPS UK Construction PMI fell to 58.7 in July 2021, from an all-time high of 66.3 in the previous month and below market expectations of 64.0. The latest reading signaled the slowest overall increase in construction output since February, amid difficulties in keeping pace with the recent surge in demand for construction projects, especially due to raw material supply shortages and shrinking sub-contractor availability. House building was the best-performing category in July, followed closely by commercial building. Total order books rose the least since March and employment continued to rise at a solid pace, amid reports of longer wait times for supplier deliveries. On the price front, a rapid pace of input cost inflation continued in July. Finally, business confidence eased to a six-month low, but remained strong overall.

The IHS Markit/CIPS UK Construction PMI rose to 66.3 in June 2021, signaling the strongest rate of output growth since June 1997 following the reopening of the UK economy. House building activity increased at the fastest pace since November 2003 and commercial work output rose the most since March 1998. In addition, civil engineering activity growth remained strong overall. Total new orders increased for a 13th consecutive month, although the latest expansion was slower than May's survey-record high, while the pace of job creation remained among the fastest seen over the past seven years and suppliers' delivery times lengthened to the greatest extent since the survey began. On the price front, purchasing prices rose at record pace on the back of severe shortages of construction products and materials. Looking ahead, business confidence eased to its lowest since January, in part reflecting concerns about labor availability and the sustainability of the recent surge in demand.

The IHS Markit/CIPS UK Construction PMI rose to 64.2 in May 2021, easily beating market expectations of 62.3 and signaling the strongest rate of output growth since September 2014. House building was the best-performing category of construction activity in May, followed by commercial work , which grew at the steepest rate since August 2007. Civil engineering activity also increased sharply, although the pace of expansion eased slightly since the previous month. Overall new order volumes increased the most since the survey began just over 24 years ago and the rate of job creation was the fastest since July 2014. On the price front, input cost inflation hit an all-time high. Finally, construction companies remained highly upbeat about their growth prospects for the next 12 months.