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UK Construction Sector Sees Weakest Output In 12 Months
You might well notice reduced demand for corrugated roofing sheets and other construction supplies in the near future, given the latest slightly gloomy IHS Markit/CIPS UK Construction PMI that’s just been released.
Analysis of August has found that the construction industry is currently experiencing a bit of a slowdown, with lower levels of commercial work being blamed predominantly for this. Residential building work did see robust growth but this was offset by other poorly performing areas.
What’s more, those asked said that there is currently a lack of new orders coming in to fill the holes that are now being left by completed projects – another key reason why a slowdown is now being seen. As for civil engineering activity, this is reportedly close to stagnation at the moment, while commercial work fell at its quickest pace since July last year.
Duncan Brock, director of customer relationships at the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS), said: “The sector hit a roadblock this month as purchasing activity slowed for the third month and new business wins were hard to come by. Reduced government spending, economic uncertainty and Brexit-delayed decision-making among clients were largely to blame.”
And sadly this isn’t all… The Guardian recently published a leaked Home Office paper on immigration that revealed the government intends to bring an end to the free movement of labour immediately after Brexit. Restrictions are expected to come in that will see only the highest skilled EU workers able to come to the UK for jobs – which could mean the skills shortage the sector is now facing only worsens over time.