Figures represent an eight month high

Activity in the UK construction sector continued to grow during February, according to the latest CIPS/Markit survey.

The figures came in at 56.5 for February, up from 53.7 in January, and an eight-month high. A figure above 50 represents growth, while below 50 signifies a decline.

February is the second consecutive monthly index rise following December’s weather-related activity decline.

The report stated that “opportunities to tender had increased”, with growth expected to continue in the coming year.

Sarah Ledger, economist at Markit, said: “The latest figures suggest that, having contracted by -2.5% in the final quarter of last year, the ONS measure of construction output should bounce back into positive territory in the first quarter.”