UK construction sector activity 'slowed' in May - survey

Growth in the UK construction sector slowed to a three-month low in May, according to a survey.

The Markit/CIPS purchasing managers' index (PMI) for construction fell to 54.4 last month, from 55.8 in April.

However, the reading indicates that the sector is still growing, as a figure above 50 implies expansion.

Office for National Statistics figures found a fall in construction output in the first quarter of 2012 contributed to the economy contracting. The latest ONS figures, released last month, indicated that the sector contracted by 4.8% in the first three months of the year.