Construction sector activity in the UK economy rose at its fastest pace for five months.
May 4, 2018
The latest IHS Markit/CIPS UK Construction Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) headlines ‘House building recovery after snow disruption underpins modest construction rebound in April’.
The construction sector activity in the UK economy rose at its fastest pace for five months a new report from Markit Economics showed on Wednesday.
The final Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) in the UK picked up sharply to 52.5 points in April, compared to the 20 month low of (47.0) seen in March.
Residential work was by far the best performing category of construction activity in April, with the rate of growth reaching its strongest since May 2017 says the report.
Read the IHS Markit/CIPS report 2nd May 2018 in full click here.
You May Also Enjoy
What renters and landlords need to know ahead of major rental law changes
With just one month to go until the first phase of the Renters’ Rights Act comes into force, the leading professional body, Propertymark, is urging renters and landlords across England to understand how the changes could affect them. From 1 May 2026, the legislation will introduce some of the biggest changes to the private rented…
Read More 
Tackling Empty Properties
A UK Perspective on Best Practice and Recommendations for Reform Propertymark, the UK’s leading professional body for property agents, has today published a comprehensive new position paper highlighting the urgent need for coordinated, practical and properly resourced action to bring long-term empty properties back into use. With over 359,000 homes sitting empty for more than…
Read More 
Pet-friendly rentals plunge 39%
New research from Inventory Base reveals that the number of pet-friendly rental homes in England has fallen by -39% since the start of 2026, as landlords appear to be reducing the number of homes openly marketed as allowing pets ahead of the Renters’ Rights Act taking effect from 1st May. The Renters’ Rights Act (RRA)…
Read More 
Latest Nationwide house price data showing a 2.2% increase
Industry reaction to Nationwide house price data showing UK annual house price growth picked up to 2.2% in March, from 1.0% in February. Nathan Emerson, CEO of Propertymark, comments: “An uplift in house prices will be welcomed by the market and suggests that buyer demand remains resilient despite ongoing economic headwinds. Improved sentiment, coupled with…
Read More 
UK house price growth picks up in March
UK annual house price growth picked up to 2.2% in March, from 1.0% in February Northern Ireland best performing area in Q1 2026, with prices up 9.5% year-on-year Outer South East weakest performing region, with prices down 0.7% compared with Q1 2025 Headlines Mar-26 Feb-26 Monthly Index* 552.6 547.7 Monthly Change* 0.9% 0.3% Annual Change…
Read More 
Mortgage approvals up in February
The latest mortgage approval data from the Bank of England show that: – Mortgage approvals on house purchases for February sat at 62,584 up (3.9%) from 60,246 seen in January. Approvals are down (-3.9%) when compared to the 65,114 seen in February 2025. This annual decline was expected due to wider market slowdown and economic…
Read More