UK construction sector grew in December The Markit/CIPS construction PMI survey, which measures activity in the housing, commercial and civil engineering sectors, rose to 53.2 from 52.3, where anything above 50 indicates growth. The Office for National Statistics will publish its first estimate of fourth-quarter gross domestic product on January 25. A breakdown of the construction PMI showed civil engineering was the strongest performer, rising to 54.1 in December from 49.9 in November, continuing the volatile pattern of recent months. The housing and commercial sectors grew at a slower rate compared with November, but it was the first time in nine months that all three areas grew. The growth in output was supported by continued growth in new orders, and employment in the sector rose for a fourth month in December. However, David Noble of CIPS cautioned that the sector faced challenging times ahead. "It's still too early to measure the impact of some of the big Government spending projects announced in the Autumn Review statement," he said. Overall expectations for the coming year were generally hopeful but continue to be skewed by wider economic uncertainties. Though there were modest increases in employment, it's likely that many firms were hiring through necessity rather than optimism about any pick up in business in the next couple of months.