February data pointed to improved demand conditions across the UK construction sector. Although only marginal, the rate of new business growth was the fastest since May 2023. A turnaround in construction order books contributed to a near-stabilisation of overall output levels in the latest survey period. Business optimism improved for the third time in the past four months and was the highest since January 2022. Construction companies often cited hopes of a sustained upturn in customer demand as well as more favourable economic and financial conditions over the course of 2024. At 49.7 in February, up from 48.8 in ... (full story)