Activity in the construction sector rose at its strongest rate in September for more than two years, according to the latest survey by the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply/NTC Research.
Roy Ayliffe, a director at the CIPS, said: “Purchasing managers continued to report expansion in the construction economy in September, accelerating to its fastest rate since July 2001.”

Ayliffe attributed the rise to a recovery in the commercial sector, which has had a difficult year. He said: “This [expansion] was driven mainly by robust growth in new business from the housing sector and – more significantly to the economy – the commercial sector.”

It is expected that figures from the RICS, to be released later this month, will indicate that activity in the commercial sector will improve for the second quarter running.