New construction orders jump 9%

New construction orders increased 9% in value to £12.9bn in the three months to July compared with the same period a year ago, according to the latest data from the Department of Trade & Industry.

There were some significant sector variances: public housing was up 17%, private housing increased 1%, private industrial was up 1% and private commercial surged ahead 60%, but infrastructure fell 38% and other public dropped 19%.

In the year to July, total orders were ahead 12% at £46.4bn. Public housing was ahead by 34%, private housing dipped 1%, infrastructure slipped 4%, other public fell 7%, private industrial jumped 23%, and private commercial increased 36%.

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

• Public housing £494m (£423m)
• Private housing £3,676m (£3,642m)
• Infrastructure £1,008m (£1,620m)
• Other public £1,574m (£1,955m)
• Private industrial £893m (£884m)
• Private commercial £5,292m (£3,299m)
• Total £12,937m (£11,823m)

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

• Public housing £2,416m (£1,803m)
• Private housing £13,030m (£13,164m)
• Infrastructure £4,654m (£4,823m)
• Other public £6,326m (£6,775m)
• Private industrial £3,720m (£3,031m)
• Private commercial £16,242m (£11,919m)
• Total £46,388m (£41,514m)