CPA/Barbour ABI Index

摘要

It was unsurprising to see a dip in December's CPA/Barbour ABI contract award index, to 113, given that the construction industry shuts down over Christmas and New Year. However, it was still 2% higher than a year ago and supports the view that, overall, 2013 was better for the industry than 2012 despite the poor weather 12 months ago. Most heartening in the December indices was growth in the public sectors: housing, education and health. Admittedly, this is coming from historic lows so I wouldn't get too excited, but the growth compared with a year ago is still good news. The Affordable Homes programme is currently boosting social housing; new academies and work on university campuses are raising workloads in the education sector; and large hospital projects such as the Royal Liverpool hospital will also provide activity in health as government capital spending begins to rise.