UK construction downturn eases slightly in June, PMI shows

LONDON, July 6 (Reuters) - ‌Britain's construction ​sector ​contracted sharply again in June, though the downturn eased slightly from May's ‌six-year low as commercial building weakened less, ⁠a business survey showed on Monday.

The S&P Global UK ‌Construction Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) ‌rose to 38.4 in June from 38.2 in May, a survey by S&P Global ​showed. The 50-mark separates growth from contraction.

• "A number of survey respondents suggested recent new ⁠contract awards and an expected improvement in broader market conditions ​had underpinned optimism," said Tim Moore, economics director at S&P Global Market Intelligence.

• ​The commercial activity index ‌improved but remained among the weakest readings since the pandemic.

• House building ⁠recorded its sharpest decline of 2026 so far. Civil engineering slumped to its steepest fall since ⁠April 2020, amid reports of delayed infrastructure work and ​fewer public sector tenders.

• The new orders index rose to a three-month high, signalling a slower but still ‌sharp decline in demand.

• Employment fell for an 18th straight month, while ‌subcontractor availability improved at the fastest pace ⁠since April 2025.

• ‌Cost pressures eased, ​with the input prices index falling from May's near four-year high.

(Editing by Toby ‌Chopra)

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