Growth in Britain's construction industry slowed unexpectedly in July, hurt by a loss of momentum in housebuilding and civil engineering, according to a survey published on Tuesday that highlighted the economy's reliance on its services sector. The monthly Markit/CIPS UK construction purchasing managers' index (PMI) fell to 57.1 after hitting a four-month high of 58.1 in June, confounding a Reuters poll estimate for a rise to 58.4. The slowdown may have reflected an easing of the surge in confidence among construction firms that followed May's unexpectedly conclusive national election, survey compiler Markit said. ... (full story)