June was the UK construction industry's worst month in seven years as Brexit uncertainty saw a shock contraction in the build up to the EU referendum, according to the Markit/CIPS construction purchasing managers' index.
Junewas theUK construction industry's worst month in seven years as Brexit uncertainty saw a shock contraction in the build up tothe EU referendum, according to theMarkit/CIPS construction purchasing managers' index.
The closely watched indexfell to 46.0 in June, its lowest level since June 2009. down from51.2 in May.
Anything above 50 on the index represents an expansion in the sector - below a contraction.
Tim Moore, senior economist at Markit, said: "However, the extent and speed of the downturn in the face of political and economic uncertainty is a clear warning flag for the wider post-Brexit economic outlook.
Markit said a number of firms had commented on reluctance among clients to commence new contracts in the run-up to the referendum, as well as continuing uncertainty about the general economic outlook.
Moore added: “Widespread delays to investment decisions and housing market jitters saw the UK construction sector experience its worst month for seven years in June.
“Construction firms are at the sharp end of domestic economic uncertainty and jolts to investor sentiment, so trading conditions were always going to be challenging in the run-up to the EU referendum.
“The vast majority of June’s survey responses were received ahead of the EU referendum, so the worry is that the ensuing political turmoil will hit construction spending decisions for some time to come.
“As a result, the latest figures raise the likelihood that the Bank of England will inject additional stimulus this summer in an attempt to dampen the short-term impact of Brexit uncertainty on the real economy.”
The survey found that construction sectorhad reacted to the slowdown in demand by cutting input buying and recruitment.
However despite the slump the rate of contraction was still “much slower” than during the last economic downturn.
