May orders increase 15% year-on-year

New construction orders increased 15% to £3.8bn in May compared with £3.3bn in the same month a year ago.

Growth was strong for private housing (up 22%), infrastructure (66%), private industrial (118%) and private commercial (14%). However, orders from the public housing and other public sectors were down 21% and 31% respectively.

In the three months to May, total orders were ahead 15% to £11.4bn. Only one sector posted a decline in orders: other public (down 20%). Growth rates varied in the other five sectors: public housing (4%); private housing (16%); infrastructure (41%); private industrial (42%); and private commercial (24%).

In the year to May, the overall picture remained the same: total orders were up 13% to £40.4bn. All sectors were ahead compared with the same period a year ago, but rates varied. Private industrial enjoyed the most (21%), followed by private housing (19%) and public housing and private commercial (both 10%). Infrastructure grew by 10% and other public by just 2%.

New orders May 2005 (May 2004 in brackets)

• Public housing £84m (£106m)
• Private housing £1,126m (£923m)
• Infrastructure £614m (£370m)
• Other public £531m (£765m)
• Private industrial £323m (£148m)
• Private commercial £1,147m (£1,008m)
• Total £3,825m (£3,319m)

New orders March to May 2005 (March to May 2004 in brackets)

• Public housing £570m (£547m)
• Private housing £3,525m (£3,048m)
• Infrastructure £1,653m (£1,174m)
• Other public £1,456m (£1,824m)
• Private industrial £818m (£578m)
• Private commercial £3,443m (£2,770m)
• Total £11,465m (£9,941m)

New orders year to May 2005 (year to May 2004 in brackets)

• Public housing £1,687m (£1,492m)
• Private housing £12,579m (£10,572m)
• Infrastructure £4,345m (£3,951m)
• Other public £6,641m (£6,534m)
• Private industrial £2,870m (£2,366m)
• Private commercial £12,353m (£10,928m)
• Total £40,475m (£35,842m)