House building helps UK construction output rise at fastest pace in five months

The UK's construction industry experienced a "moderate rebound" in November, as a pick-up in home building helped output grow at its fastest pace in five months. The Markit/CIPS UK Construction purchasing managers' index showed a reading of 53.1 last month, up from 50.8 in October and easily beating economist forecasts for 51.0. It was the highest reading in five months, with house building projects again emerging as the "primary growth engine" for industry activity.