While the UK construction sector saw a slowdown in growth during October, the outlook remains positive…

The latest data for the Markit Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index (PMI) has shown a slight decline in the figures from 59.9 in September to 58.8 in October. Growth is indicated by any figure over 50.

The figures, which are in line with forecasts set by analysts, are weaker than those seen on average during 2014, but Markit said they were comfortably above the pre-election low of 54.2 recorded in April.

Housing activity saw a slowdown after September’s 12-month high and the latest increase in civil engineering hit the slowest level since May. However, commercial building work saw growth, increasing at the sharpest pace for eight months

Tim Moore, senior economist at Markit, said: “Another relatively buoyant construction PMI reading indicates that the sector remains in rude health.

“Rather than acting as a drag on the economy, as suggested by recent GDP estimates, the sector is continuing to act as an important driving force behind the ongoing UK economic upturn.”