Public sector orders keep construction afloat

Construction orders have fallen 2% in the 12 months to April but public sector construction is helping to counteract the effect of big falls in the private sector.

Figures from the Office of National Statistics showed a 17% fall in new private sector housing orders for the period and 25% in the three months to April.

Public sector housing and housing association orders were also down 8% in the year, and 26% on a three-month-on-three-month basis.

But non-housing sector orders climbed 24% in the year to April, and by 29% in the past three months.