Key Statistics: 17th April 2012

Glenigan's weekly roundup of keys statistics for the UK construction industry and the wider economy.

Construction

• The total volume of construction output in February 2012 fell by 4.6% from February 2011.

UK Economy

• CPI annual inflation rose to 3.5% in March, up from 3.4% in February. The largest upward pressures came from food, clothing and recreation & culture.
• In the year to March 2012 the Producer Price index – which measures the price of manufactured goods – rose by 3.6%. This was the lowest annual growth since January 2010.
• The UK’s deficit on seasonally adjusted trade in goods and services was £3.4 billion in February, compared with the deficit of £2.5 billion in January.
• In the three months to February 2012, seasonally adjusted estimates of international visits to the UK fell 1% versus the previous three months. Earnings from visits to the UK fell 5%.
• According to the Council of Mortgage Lenders, the number of loans made for house purchases rose 17% between February 2011 and February 2012.