Investment in construction among non-manufacturing sectors fell 12.8% in the second quarter of the year, according to the Office of National Statistics.
The same research showed that private sector producers were reported to have trimmed spending on investment by 5.7% in the three months to June compared to the previous three months.
The metals and engineering sectors were the most reluctant to invest, with spending on capital falling 16.8% and 14.2% respectively.
By contrast, power products and oil refining sector showed an 11.3% advance while textile and clothing firms increased funds by almost 7%.
24/08/08 Financial Times 2Times 50, 55 Daily Telegraph B8 Guardian 36
