Growth in the UK construction sector slowed down in January to its weakest level for nine months.
The Markit construction purchasing managers’ index (PMI) fell to 55 from 57.8 – well below the 57.5 forecast by economists.
The figure contrasted with a stronger-than-expected start for the manufacturing sector published on Monday.
Factory output rose from 52.1 in December to 52.9 in January.
Any figure above 50 indicates growth in the sector.
Markit economist Tim Moore said construction firms were struggling for momentum, with increased economic uncertainty holding back new orders and contributing to one of the weakest rises in output levels since summer 2013.
