The UK construction sector demonstrated a slight rebound in December, according to the latest data released by S&P Global Construction PMI. The Purchasing Managers' Index, which provides an overview of the economic health of the construction sector, edged up to 40.1 in December from a previous 39.4 in November 2025. This marginal increase suggests a softening of contraction conditions within the industry as businesses recalibrate amidst economic pressures.
While this improvement marks a positive shift, the December PMI figure remains well below the neutral 50.0 mark for growth, indicating that the sector is still grappling with challenges that have persisted into the final month of 2025. Nonetheless, the upward movement from November’s reading reflects modest optimism over the near-term outlook for construction activity as industry stakeholders hope for continued improvement in the coming months.
The updated data, made available on January 7, 2026, will be closely monitored by industry analysts and policymakers. The progression of the PMI suggests a potential bottoming out of the slump witnessed in recent months, paving the way for strategic interventions and potential initiatives to stimulate growth in the UK construction industry in the early months of 2026.
