British construction sector activity expanded for a second consecutive month in June and at the strongest pace in over a year, a survey report from Markit Economics and the Chartered Institute of Purchasing & Supply showed Tuesday.
The headline purchasing managers' index rose to 51 in June from 50.8 in May. The June reading was the highest since May 2012.
Readings above 50 indicate expansion of the sector. The index has now remained above 50 for a second successive month in June.
Higher output levels were driven by a solid rate of new order growth in June, and this in turn contributed to rising employment levels in the construction sector during the latest survey period, the report said.
New order growth was the strongest in 13 months. In June, the rate of job creation was the most marked since September 2012. The survey also found that business confidence among builders was at its highest level since April 2012.
Residential building activity improved for a fifth consecutive month, but the rate of expansion eased from May's 26-month high. Business activity stabilized in commercial and civil engineering sub-sectors.
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June 19, 2026 16:46 ET Major central banks continued to dominate the economic news flow this week too, led by the Federal Reserve, as they announced their latest policy decisions. The Federal Reserve policy session was in focus as it was the first to be led by the new chief Kevin Warsh. In Europe, central banks of the U.K. and Switzerland announced their rate decisions. In Asia, the Bank of Japan drew attention for its policy moves, while data out of China threw some light on the state of the economy.