Construction activity has risen in the second month in a row, with housing demonstrating the strongest growth according to the latest survey from the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply.

Activity increased at a quickening pace, with the survey registering a score of 58.2 compared with 53.1 last week (week ending 30 th April). The index is scored out of 100, where any figure over 50 indicates a rise in activity.

The consecutive increases in activity follow a two-year decline. The survey showed commercial activity rising for the first time since 2008, and all of the three sub-sectors – housing, commercial and civil engineering increase their score.

The survey said construction companies were still laying people off, despite the pick-up in sales, albeit at the lowest rate since August 2008. Purchasing activity also picked up for the second month in a row, delivering a consequent jump in the price of raw materials.