Construction slowdown expected

A survey by Barbour ABI has found that Britain's construction industry is expected to slow during the summer. The study shows that a rise in contract signings between April and May of 5.3% was not enough to offset a fall over the spring that left the value of contracts down 3.7% on the same time last year. The survey found that residential housing starts accounted for around a third of the entire sector's work amid signs of weak activity in the infrastructure and civil engineering industries. Michael Dall, lead economist at Barbour ABI, said London was the UK's hotspot for construction activity in May, accounting for 24% of the UK total.