UK construction activity falls to weakest level in a decade

The UK construction industry has hit its weakest level in more than a decade, thanks to Brexit uncertainty.

The IHS Markit construction purchasing managers’ index, a survey of industry executives, fell to 43.1 in June, the lowest level since April 2009.

Mark Dyason, Managing Director of the specialist UK development finance provider, Thistle Finance, said: “For some time the construction sector has been on the ropes, but now it is flat on the canvas.

“In the 30 days of June the UK construction sector delivered its worst performance for a decade.

“If you want proof that Brexit is hitting builders and developers hard, you’ve just had it, and unequivocally so.

“Even the one ray of light, residential housing, has been extinguished by the radical uncertainty of Brexit.

“2019 is shaping up to be a brutal year for construction, and if the prospects of a no-deal Brexit increase, as appears likely, there is room for further deterioration.”