The latest information from Builders’ Conference shows that 460 contracts worth £6.2 billion were awarded in August. Both the number and value of contracts were higher than the monthly average over the last year, which is particularly encouraging given that August is traditionally quieter due to the summer holidays. It was a strong month for the public sector, which accounted for 39% of all contracts awarded by value, including two prison contracts totalling £650 million and three water and sewage projects worth £505 million. In the private sector, there were 136 housing projects worth £1.9 billion (30%), 24 industrial projects totalling £326 million (5%), and 67 office projects worth £319 million (5%).

The number of tender opportunities was still 8% below the previous month and, with the new Prime Minister now in place, the industry will be hoping that continued investment in infrastructure together with a plan to deal with rising inflation will sustain activity for the rest of the year.