Business momentum since last year ‘wiped out’ by Middle East war as material prices rocket, bellwether index says

By Tom Lowe2026-04-08T10:30:00

March saw the sharpest month-on-month increase in material costs in nearly three decades following Iran’s closure of the strait of Hormuz

Construction output fell again last month as the Middle East conflict caused the sharpest month-on-month increase in material prices in nearly three decades, according to the latest S&P Global UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index.

New orders decreased by one of the sharpest rates in six years, with overall cost inflation increasing to the highest rate since November 2022 at the height of the Ukraine War, the data says.

…

Already registered? Login here

To continue enjoying Building.co.uk, sign up for free guest access

Existing subscriber? LOGIN

Stay at the forefront of thought leadership with news and analysis from award-winning journalists. Enjoy company features, CEO interviews, architectural reviews, technical project know-how and the latest innovations.

Limited access to building.co.uk
Breaking industry news as it happens
Breaking, daily and weekly e-newsletters

Get your free guest access SIGN UP TODAY

Subscribe now for unlimited access

Subscribe to Building today and you will benefit from:

Unlimited access to all stories including expert analysis and comment from industry leaders
Our league tables, cost models and economics data
Our online archive of over 10,000 articles
Building magazine digital editions
Building magazine print editions
Printed/digital supplements

Subscribe now for unlimited access.

View our subscription options and join our community