By David Milliken

LONDON (Reuters) -Activity in Britain’s construction sector slowed for the eighth month in a row in August, extending its longest downturn since 2020 as optimism in the sector weakened, purchasing managers’ data showed on Thursday.

The S&P Global Purchasing Managers’ Index for Britain’s construction sector rose in August to 45.5 from July’s five-year low of 44.3. But it remained well below the 50-mark that divides growth from contraction, as it has since the start of 2025.

“Sharply reduced levels of housing and civil engineering activity were again the main reasons for a weak overall construction sector performance,” said Tim Moore, economics director at S&P Global Market Intelligence.

The weakness stands at odds with a government goal to build 1.5 million homes over

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