UK construction growth slows in July on softer housebuilding

London

GROWTH in Britain's construction industry slowed unexpectedly in July, hurt by a loss of momentum in housebuilding and civil engineering, according to a survey published on Tuesday that highlighted the economy's reliance on its services sector.

The monthly Markit/CIPS UK construction purchasing managers' index (PMI) fell to 57.1 after hitting a four-month high of 58.1 in June, confounding a Reuters poll estimate for a rise to 58.4.