UK construction output rises again in April, despite fastest fall in housing activity since May 2020

UK construction companies remained in expansion mode during April, but the latest survey data indicated uneven growth across the sector. Rising volumes of commercial work and civil engineering activity helped to offset the steepest decline in residential construction output since May 2020. Meanwhile, supply conditions improved to the greatest extent since September 2009, reflecting an upturn in materials availability and fewer instances of transport delays. Input price pressures also eased in April, with the rate of cost inflation the lowest for almost two-and-a-half years. At 51.1 in April, the headline seasonally