New construction orders in the UK in the fourth quarter of 2012 were 11.2% higher (£1.1billion) than a year earlier, latest figures from the Office for National Statistics show. Orders were up 3.4% (£370million) on the previous quarter.

The increase in new construction orders in the fourth quarter was not attributable to any single sector – five of the six sectors showed a quarter-on-quarter increase. Only infrastructure spend, most of which is by the public sector, showed a fall (15.4%) as Government cuts continue to bite.

The private sector delivered the largest increases, with private commercial new work up 9.7% (£270million) and private new housing up 10.3% (£230million).

These might not be the final figures as they continue to be updated for many months, but they clearly show a promising sign. The statistical bulletin brings together information on orders for new construction in Great Britain drawing on data compiled from the Quarterly Survey of Contracts and New Orders. Construction new orders estimates should not be used as an indicator of output.