May was construction’s strongest month since September 2007, according to the latest figures from the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply

The CIPS survey showed that construction activity had increased for the third month in a row. The indicator, which is based on a survey of purchasing managers, rose to 58.5 in May (April: 58.2), making it the strongest month since September 2007. A figure of more than 50 indicates a rise in activity.

David Noble, chief executive at CIPS, said: “Purchasing managers say that on the surface things are looking positive.

“However, the recovery is so fragile that it will be extremely vulnerable to the impending public sector cuts and it is unclear whether the recovery is robust enough to cope with such knock-backs.”