New construction orders increased 5% in three months to October

New construction orders increased 5% in value to £11.5bn in the three months to October compared with the same period a year ago, according to the latest data from the Department of Trade & Industry.

Sectors that performed well were: public housing, up 54%; and private commercial, ahead 21%. Private housing improved 1.4%, while private industrial increased just 1%. Infrastructure slipped 12%, while the poor year for other public continued as it fell back 13%

In the year to October, total orders were ahead 8% at £47.6bn. Public housing was ahead by 35%, private housing increased just 1%, infrastructure fell 18%, other public slipped 9%, private industrial jumped 11%, and private commercial increased 32%.

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

• Public housing £609m (£395m)
• Private housing £3,352m (£3,305m)
• Infrastructure £1,207m (£1,363m)
• Other public £1,583m (£1,821m)
• Private industrial £860m (£853m)
• Private commercial £3,945m (£3,262m)
• Total £11,556m (£10,999m)

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

• Public housing £2,624m (£1,951m)
• Private housing £13,238m (£13,171m)
• Infrastructure £4,551m (£5,532m)
• Other public £6,085m (£6,694m)
• Private industrial £3,802m (£3,421m)
• Private commercial £17,320m (£13,163m)
• Total £47,630m (£43,932m)