New orders dropped in September

New construction orders dropped 18% year-on-year in September from £3bn to £2.5bn, according to the latest data from the Department of Trade & Industry.

Of the six sectors, three of the largest posted drop-offs: private housing slipped just 0.8% to £723m; private commercial fell back 25% to £775m; and infrastructure slumped 64.5% to £196m (the sector's lowest monthly total since December 2001).

Other public was static at £510m, while private industrial increased 13% to £221m. Public housing improved 55% to £104m.

In the year-to-date, the total stands at £25.6bn, ahead of the first nine months of 2002 total of £25bn.

New orders September 2003 (September 2002 in brackets)

• Public housing £104m (£67m)
• Private housing £723m (£729m)
• Infrastructure £196m (£552m)
• Other public £510m (£510m)
• Private industrial £221m (£196m)
• Private commercial £775m (£1,041m)
• Total £2,530m (£3,095m)