Construction plant hire prices have taken a dive again after rallying at the tail end of last year, according to the latest services producer prices index.

The ONS data shows how in the final quarter of last year prices perked up to a level last seen almost two years earlier. However the rally now looks short lived and prices are once again back to similar rates as were seen in 2003.

The question is whether or not this may be a prelude to further downward pressure, as the industry prepares itself for heavy weather ahead.

What the graph clearly shows is how far plant hire prices have fallen in comparison with other services.