The ups and downs of new construction orders

New construction orders in the year to November 2007were virtually the same as the previous year, rising by just 1%. There was a 3% rise compared with the previous three months and a rise of 5% compared with the same three months a year earlier — according to figures from the Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform. Infrastructures dominated the new orders, with a 16% year-on-year rise and 32% up on the previous three months. Private-commercial orders were static year-on-year, but the three months to November was 14% higher than the same period a year earlier. Orders for public-housing and housing-association projects showed a 3% year-on-year rise and were 6% up on the previous three months but down by 9% than the same period a year earlier. Comparisons in this sector are affected by large variations due to its relatively small size. Private-housing orders enjoyed an 11% surge compared with the previous three months, but the longer-term picture shows a 3% year-on-year fall and a 10% fall compared with the same period a year earlier. Public non-housing orders dropped by 7% compared with the previous three months, while rising by 6% year on year. Private-industrial orders continue to fall, with a 12% year-on-year drop and a 12% fall compared with the same three months a year earlier. The drop compared with the previous three months was 1%.