UK Construction PMI Falls to 43.6 as Housebuilding Records Steepest Decline of the Year
The October S&P Global survey showed the sharpest contraction since June, while respondents reported strong demand for data centre projects.
The S&P Global UK Construction PMI registered 43.6 in October, down from 46.1 in September, marking the sharpest contraction since June, according to a Reuters report on 5 November 2026. Housebuilding recorded its steepest decline of the year, which survey respondents attributed to borrowing costs and economic uncertainty. The survey also recorded a rise of more than 10 points in the input cost index, driven by fuel surcharges and energy expenses.
Despite the overall contraction, respondents reported strong demand for data centre projects, while workloads in the energy and utilities segment increased. The data indicates that construction activity in the UK has now been in contraction for nearly two consecutive years.
The PMI is a survey-based index compiled by S&P Global from responses provided by UK construction companies each month.