May 25 2004
Orders in the year to March 2004 fell by four per cent compared to orders in the previous twelve month period, but orders in the first quarter of 2004 rose by one per cent compared to the same quarter a year earlier. Orders in the first quarter of 2004 rose by 14 per cent compared to the previous quarter, with increases in the private commercial, public non-housing, public housing and private housing sectors. All orders figures quoted are seasonally adjusted and in constant (2000) prices.
Private housing orders in the year to March 2004 rose by five per cent compared to the previous year. Orders in the first quarter of 2004 rose by six per cent compared with the previous quarter, and by nine per cent compared with the same quarter a year earlier.
Public housing and housing association orders in the year to March 2004 rose by 13 per cent when compared to the previous year. Public housing and housing association orders in the first quarter of 2004 rose by 27 per cent compared to the previous quarter, and by 16 per cent compared to the same quarter a year earlier. All comparisons in this sector are affected by large variations due to its relatively small size.
Infrastructure orders in the year to March 2004 decreased by 15 per cent compared with the previous twelve months. Orders in the first quarter of 2004 fell by 15 per cent compared with the previous quarter, and fell by 48 per cent when compared to the same period a year earlier.
Public non-housing orders (excluding infrastructure) in the year to March 2004 fell by four per cent when compared with the previous twelve months. Orders in the first quarter of 2004 rose by 11 per cent compared with the previous quarter, and were eight per cent higher compared to the same period a year earlier. The twelve month comparison is still affected by the exceptionally high level of public miscellaneous orders in December 2002.
Private commercial orders in the year to March 2004 fell by eight per cent compared to the previous year. Orders in the first quarter of 2004 rose by 46 per cent compared to the previous quarter, and were 19 per cent higher than in the same period a year earlier.
Private industrial orders in the year to March 2004 rose by four per cent compared to the previous year. Orders in the first quarter of 2004 fell by 15 per cent compared to the previous period, and by one per cent higher compared to the same period a year earlier.
Source: DTI