A hold-up in new work caused by the Covid-19 lockdown and disruption in supply chains is hampering work at building sites.
The latest survey of purchasing managers in the construction sector by the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply found activity slowed in August to an index rating of 54.6, down from 58.1 in July.
A figure above 50 suggests activity is rising and the survey is regarded as a reliable economic barometer.
Anecdotal evidence from survey respondents found building sites had been busy in the weeks immediately after the relaxation of the lockdown as they finished work from before the pandemic.
More recently, however, construction companies found there was less work to do as fewer commissions were made during the lockdown and since then
