New construction orders for the 12 months to February were 2% lower than in the corresponding period a year earlier. For the three months to February they were 7% lower than last year and 4% lower than the previous three months.

Housing orders for the three months to February were 15% up on the previous three months and 8% ahead of the same period a year ago.

Private commercial orders for the three months were 2% higher than a year ago but 13% lower than in the previous three months.