In a promising sign of recovery for the UK economy, the construction sector saw its most significant growth in over two years during July, buoyed by optimism surrounding Labour’s proposed shake-up of planning laws. This surge in activity marks a clear rebound after a slowdown earlier in the year, with all major areas of the construction industry—commercial property, housing, and infrastructure—expanding at a strong pace.
The latest report from S&P Global Market Intelligence, a monthly health check of the construction sector, highlighted a dramatic recovery in the industry. According to Andrew Harker, the economics director at S&P Global Market Intelligence, the growth slump experienced in June was short-lived, with the sector experiencing a sharp acceleration in July. He added, “Firms saw the strongest increases in new orders and activity since 2022, as paused projects were revived amid reports of improved customer confidence.”
Sector Growth Across the Board
The report revealed that the construction Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) climbed from 52.2 in June to 55.3 in July, reaching its highest level since May 2022. A PMI reading above 50 indicates that the sector is expanding, and July’s boost reflects a positive shift in activity levels. As the UK economy begins to recover from last year’s recession, the construction sector is showing strong signs of resilience.
Jordan Smith, Technical Director at property consultancy Thomas & Adamson, pointed to rising optimism in the industry. “The growth in construction activity is beginning to pick up pace again, with genuine optimism that the new government’s plans will act as a further catalyst for the sector as a whole,” he said.
New Orders Drive Expansion
The S&P report emphasized that success in securing new orders was a major factor driving the uptick in activity as the third quarter began. New business in the construction sector expanded for the sixth consecutive month, signaling a sustained positive trend.
Kelly Boorman, the National Head of Construction at RSM UK, echoed this sentiment. “The headline construction PMI in July reached the highest level since May 2022, showing the industry is continuing its recovery. This reflects positive sentiment in response to the government’s focus on local housing targets with greater transparency towards planning and infrastructure,” she said.
Rising Demand and Inflationary Pressures
While the surge in construction activity is encouraging, it has also led to rising prices. As demand strengthens and the sector nears capacity, inflationary pressures have begun to creep back into the market. Harker warned that the improving supplier performance seen earlier in the year could be impacted, as rising demand leads to a tighter supply chain. “There were also signs of inflationary pressures picking up, something that will need to be watched closely if demand strength continues in the months ahead,” he noted.
Looking Ahead
The recent growth in the UK construction sector signals a positive trajectory, but challenges such as rising costs and potential supply chain constraints remain on the horizon. With the government’s new focus on planning laws and local housing targets, the industry is poised for continued growth, but it will need to adapt to ongoing market pressures to sustain its momentum.
As the construction sector heads into the second half of 2024, the outlook remains optimistic, with expectations that the government’s initiatives will further fuel expansion and create new opportunities for businesses in the coming months.