New orders reach new high

A record level of new orders in May (£3.3bn compared with £2.5bn) have pushed the rolling 12-month total to a high of £35.7bn, according to the latest data from the Department of Trade & Industry.

All sectors improved in both the three-month and 12-month measures with the expected exception of infrastructure: down 26.1% in first measure and 28.3% down in the second.

Both public and private housing improved, the latter passing the £10bn mark on the 12-month measure. Other public improved 34.1% in the three months, but grew just 1% in the 12 months.

Private commercial improved 30.4% in the short-term measure, but over the long-term measure the increase is a more modest 6.5%.

New construction orders March to May 2004 (March to May 2003)

• Public housing £529m (£438m)
• Private housing £3,016m (£2,310m)
• Infrastructure £1,148m (£1,554m)
• Other public £1,824m (£1,360m)
• Private industrial £591m (£585m)
• Private commercial £2,765m (£2,120m)
• Total £9,873m (£8,367m)

New construction orders 12 months to May 2004 (12 months to May 2003)

• Public housing £1,474m (£1,269m)
• Private housing £10,540m (£9,038m)
• Infrastructure £3,925m (£5,475m)
• Other public £6,533m (£6,441m)
• Private industrial £2,380m (£2,285m)
• Private commercial £10,923m (£10,256m)
• Total £35,775m (£34,765m)