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01 / State of play

The construction activity index stood at 63 points in March, representing a three-point month-on-month increase. In contrast, repair and maintenance activity edged downwards by one point to 55 on the same measures. Both the residential (64) and civil engineering (66) sectors experienced growth in March, with rises of four and one points respectively. Conversely, non-residential fell by three points to 58.

In March, the orders index reached a record high, after climbing 11 points month-on-month to 77. The index has now remained above 60 for 14 consecutive months. On the same measure, tender enquiries were unchanged at 64 points.

On the whole, opinions regarding restraints to construction activity in March rose in relation to the previous month’s consensus. The percentage of respondents posting no constraints fell by one percentage point to 34% in March, indicating a slight increase in factors which could adversely affect activity among the panel of construction firms. Worries regarding demand in the construction industry remain prominent, with 34% of respondents stating that it was an issue. Adverse weather conditions have become less of a concern, given the recent spate of settled weather.

Meanwhile, labour shortages have intensified, with 19% highlighting this as an issue, though material and equipment has not been in short supply. Despite financial constraints remaining a consistent concern among industry professionals, the percentage of respondents reporting them as an issue fell to 8% in March, the lowest level since November 2010.

The employment prospects index returned to positive territory again in March, with a 12-point increase to 59. This suggests that employers within the construction industry will look to expand their current workforce in the coming three months.

02 / Leading construction activity indicator

In March, the CFR’s Leading Construction Activity Indicator gained three points on a monthly basis to reach 63. It has remained at or above 50 in each month since September 2012.

The indicator uses a base level of 50: an index value above that level suggests an increase in activity, while one below it highlights a decrease.

03 / Work in hand

During March 2015 a large proportion of civil engineering respondents reported less than three months of work in hand (88%), while for the residential and non-residential sectors this was 41% and 54% respectively. At 24%, both the residential and non-residential sectors have the highest amount of work in hand over the next three-to-six months. The non-residential sector reported that 22% of work was available after six months. Approximately 30% of residential firms reported that they had more than six months of work in hand. Civil engineering firms reported the lowest amount over the same period, with only 6% being available after six months.

04 / Regional perspectives

Experian’s regional composite indices incorporate current activity levels, the state of order books and the number of tender enquiries received by contractors to provide a measure of the relative strength of each regional industry.

The majority of regions and devolved nations saw an increase in activity in March. The North-west posted the strongest increase, rising by 10 points to 58, thereby re-entering positive territory. Other robust movements came from the North-east (58) and the East Midlands (79), both posting increases of eight points to their indices. The South-west remained strong in March, with its index holding steady at 79 points. The West Midlands’ index also held steady, albeit in negative territory at 46 points. East Anglia’s construction activity rose by just three points to 63. Wales (58) and the South-east (58) rose by two points and one point respectively. Yorkshire and Humberside continued to exhibit further positivity, as activity rose by five points to 83. Scotland’s (54) index increased by five points, taking it out of negative territory. With an uptick of three points, Northern Ireland’s positive performance carried on in March.

The UK index, which includes firms working in five or more regions, rose to 62 points in March.