![](\"http:\/\/www.constructionenquirer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/image001.gif\"\/)
<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\nBuyers reported another fall in commercial work and civil engineering activity which more than offset a modest upturn in residential building.<\/p>\n
Joe Hayes, Economist at IHS Markit, which compiles the survey said: \u201cFears that the recent weakness of the UK construction sector may not be just a blip, but a sustained soft patch, were further fuelled by latest data.<\/p>\n
“Amid subdued inflows of new work, a first back-to-back decline in output since August 2016 was recorded.<\/p>\n
![](\"http:\/\/www.constructionenquirer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/CE_FASET-MPU_FEB19.gif\"\/)
<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n“Brexit-related uncertainty continued to generate indecisiveness, ultimately hitting order book volumes. Furthermore, strong competition for contracts was also reported by some panel members.<\/p>\n
“The outlook was subsequently underwhelming by historical standards, with the unsettled political and economic environment keeping business confidence below its long-run average.<\/p>\n
“Nevertheless, UK construction businesses ramped up their purchases of materials and other inputs, reflecting efforts to build safety stocks ahead of any potential Brexit-related disruptions.<\/p>\n
“As such, supply chain constraints persisted and average input lead times lengthened once again.”<\/p>\n
Duncan Brock, Group Director at the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply said: “It is unlikely that next month will bring about any positive news given the challenges of a weaker UK economy, volatile pound and intense competition for new orders, as Brexit continues to cast a long shadow over the sector\u2019s future.”<\/p>\n
![](\"http:\/\/www.constructionenquirer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/CE_PALMERS-MPU_JAN19.gif\"\/)
<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n![](\"http:\/\/www.constructionenquirer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/Strife-Twitter-Bans-300x250.gif\"\/)
<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n