Orders up, but other public still in decline

New orders in the three months to January increased 19% in value to £11.3bn comapred with a year ago, according to the latest data from the Department of Trade & Industry.

The sector analysis shows some predictable results: public housing up 73%, infrastructure up 13%, private industrial up 51% and private commercial up 45%. Private housing orders were up just 1%, while other public orders continued their downward trend, falling 12%. 

In the 12 months to January, total new orders were up 16% in value to £45.1bn compared with a year ago. The sector analysis shows public housing up 23%, private housing up 10%, infrastructure up 42%, other public down 4%, private industrial up 32% and private commercial up 20%.

The volume analysis shows other public down 14% in the three months and 12% in the year.

Orders in the three months to January 2006 (orders in the three months to January 2005 in brackets)

• Public housing £591m (£341m)
• Private housing £2,932m (£2,909m)
• Infrastructure £1,164m (£1,027m)
• Other public £1,503m (£1,706m)
• Private industrial £1,027m (£678m)
• Private commercial £4,111m (£2,844m)
• Total £11,327m (£9,505m)

Orders in the 12 months to January 2006 (orders in the 12 months to January 2005)

• Public housing £2,044m (£1,665m)
• Private housing £13,368m (£12,102m)
• Infrastructure £5,490m (£3,866m)
• Other public £6,731m (£7,009m)
• Private industrial £3,484m (£2,631m)
• Private commercial £13,995m (£11,679m)
• Total £45,113m (£38,951m)