Private industrial work tops orders list

The private industrial sector proved the most fruitful source of work over the last quarter (December 1996 to February 1997) according to the latest Department of the Environment figures.

Total orders were up three per cent on the previous quarter and one per cent up on the same period last year.

Private industrial orders rose 13 per cent on the previous quarter and were 17 per cent up on the same period a year ago. Private commercial orders also climbed - up 17 per cent higher than the previous quarter. However, orders were still 14 per cent lower than the corresponding period a year ago.

Infrastructure remains in the doldrums - 10 per cent lower compared with the previous three months, but six per cent higher than the same period a year ago. Public non-housing orders were also in decline - down four per cent on the previous quarter and 17 per cent lower than the previous year.

Private housing orders were one per cent down on the previous quarter, but showed a massive rise of 36 per cent up on the previous year. Public housing continued to decline, reflecting the continued round of cuts in public funding. Orders for the last three months were down two per cent on the previous quarter and were 11 per cent lower than in the same period a year ago.

The DoE estimates that 14,700 dwellings were started in the UK in February 1997 compared with 13,500 in February 1996. Completions numbered 13,100 compared to 13,500 in 1996.