UK construction sector growth slowed slightly in October, as the rate of increase of housebuilding and civil engineering activity eased, a survey has revealed.

The Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply’s purchasing managers’ index for construction, which measures activity, dipped from 59.9 in September to 58.8 in October on a seasonally-adjusted basis.

However, while the index signalled the rate of construction sector growth remained slower than the average pace in 2014, it was nevertheless well above the level of 50 deemed to separate expansion from contraction.

Although growth in housebuilding activity slowed last month from a 12-month peak in September, and civil engineering recorded its weakest monthly rise in output since May, the rate of expansion of the commercial property construction sub-sector accelerated in October.

And employment growth in the UK construction sector accelerated last month to its fastest pace since November 2014.

Housebuilding activity has been boosted by major UK Government measures to fuel the residential property sector.

The UK construction sector last month recorded its sharpest monthly rise in incoming new business since October 2014, with companies highlighting new project wins from public and private sector clients.

Tim Moore, senior economist at CIPS survey compiler Markit, said: “October’s survey indicates that the UK construction sector remains firmly in expansion mode, although commercial building work was the only category to experience faster growth than in September.”