April data signalled a further loss of momentum across the UK construction sector, with new order volumes stagnating and overall business activity expanding at its slowest pace since June 2013. Subdued demand conditions contributed to one of the weakest rises in employment numbers recorded over the past three years. At the same time, construction firms indicted a softer increase in input buying and noted a renewed fall in optimism regarding the year-ahead business outlook. At 52.0 in April, the seasonally adjusted Markit/CIPS UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index® (PMI® ) registered above the critical 50.0 ... (full story)