UK construction industry enjoys fast growth in new orders

Report follows strong manufacturing survey, painting better-than-expected economic picture after Brexit vote

The UK construction industry enjoyed the fastest growth in new orders in almost a year in December, according to a survey, but the weaker pound has driven up firms' material costs to their highest in five-and-a-half years.

The upbeat report from Markit/CIPS comes a day after a strong survey for the manufacturing sector, where activity hit a two-and-a-half-year high last month. Together they paint a better economic picture than many had expected following the Brexit vote in June. A third industry survey, for the dominant services sector, is due on Thursday.

Related: UK manufacturing growth at a 30-month high, says PMI survey