The bell weather Markit/CIPS UK Construction Purchasing Managers’ Index edges up from January’s four month low of 50.2 to 51.4 in February.

Any figure above 50 represents expansion in the industry.

Civil engineering was still in the doldrums as projects come to a close and activity falling at its sharpest rate for five months while housing work continued to suffer a soft patch.

But commercial work was the surprise bright spot with work expanding at the fastest rate since May 2017.

Tim Moore, Associate Director at IHS Markit  and report author said: “While subdued house building and infrastructure work acted as a brake on the construction sector, this was partly offset by a sustained turnaround in commercial building.

“The increase in work on commercial projects during February was one of the strongest seen over the past two years.

“Some construction firms noted that greater industrial demand, alongside structural changes in consumer spending habits, had contributed to new project opportunities.