The UK construction sector appears to be turning a corner. Since the start of 2013 activity has slowly begun to pick up, with 21% more surveyors reported rises in workloads, according to the latest RICS Construction Market Survey. This upturn may suggest that the worst could now be over for the sector, especially as 59% more respondents are predicting that workloads will continue to rise rather than fall over the next 12 months. Simon Rubinsohn, RICS Chief Economist, said: “It is clearly good news that the amount of construction taking place across the country seems to have turned a corner. But this modest improvement comes after a long period of contraction and many businesses in the sector are still struggling to keep their heads above water. “Securing finance for development is still a big challenge and, despite the government’s attempt to revamp the planning system, the feedback we are getting suggests that this issue also remains a major obstacle to getting projects under way.”