A deepening slump in housebuilding activity in September drove the construction industry to register its steepest drop in output since the first pandemic lockdown, according to a survey of purchasing managers.

The ‘monthly report by the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply and S&P Global found that the overall UK purchasing managers’ index fell to a reading of 45 in September, its lowest since May 2020, where any figure below 50 indicates a decline in output.

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