UK slow for Hanson

Hanson is struggling in the UK, chief executive Alan Murray told the group' shareholders at its AGM today.

Murray said: "The UK market has been slow, with lower volumes in all major products. Although expectations are that Building Products volumes should move ahead once the construction season gets fully underway, weakness in roads-related demand remains a concern for the Aggregates division. As previously indicated, UK progress will also be affected by higher pension costs."

Hanson's other major markets of Australia and North America are performing well.

Murray said good progress has been made in implementing the US and UK cost saving initiatives and Hanson remains on target to deliver savings from these of £17m in 2004.