Summer slump continues as August orders drop

August was another bad month for new construction orders, falling 15% year-on-year from £2.6bn to £2.2bn. This is the fourth month in succession that total orders have fallen in comparison with last year.

The Department of Trade & Industry's latest data shows that only one sector, other public, grew (by 21%), while the other five fell back. Public housing was down 8%, private housing 13%, infrastructure 19%, private industrial 18% and private commercial a thumping 30%. These five sectors also posted their lowest monthly totals of the year.

In the year to date, total orders stand at just shy of £22.8bn, marginally ahead of the year-ago figure of £21.9bn.

New orders August 2003 (August 2002 in brackets)

• Public housing £66m (£72m)
• Private housing £666m (£765m)
• Infrastructure £261m (£323m)
• Other public £463m (£383m)
• Private industrial £160m (£189m)
• Private commercial £644m (£924m)
• Total £2,262m (£2,656m)