UK GDP increased by 0.7% in the second quarter of 2015, compared with 0.4% in Q2 2014, but construction industry growth was flat over the same period.
However, the latest government figures reveal some signs of recovery in construction after a weak Q1, in which growth declined by 0.2%, and growth in the sector now stands at 2.2% year-on-year.
Initial estimates for June showed a growth rate of 2.3% for the month, which followed declines of 0.5% and 1.3% in April and May respectively, indicating a recovery in demand for construction following the general election.
The index for distribution, hotels and restaurants increased by 0.9% between April and June, slightly down on the first quarter growth figure of 1.1% but still up by 4.5% on the year before.
Overall, the service sector, including distribution, hotels and restaurants remained the strongest UK sector, up 0.7%. Services have grown steadily over the quarter, up by 0.2%, 0.3% and 0.4% in each respective month.
