Key Statistics: 19th June 2012

 Construction

• The volume of construction output decreased by 6.7% in the three months to April compared to a year ago, according to the ONS. Of the two main components, new work fell by 9.5% and repair and maintenance fell by 1.4%.

UK Economy

• CPI annual inflation stands at 2.8% in May , the first time it has dropped below 3% for the first time in over two years.
• The UK’s trade deficit in goods and services was £4.4 billion in April, compared with a deficit of £3.0 billion in March.
• The three months to April saw a 5% rise in the seasonally adjusted number of visits to the UK compared with the previous three months, while earnings grew by 1% according to the ONS.
• House sellers increased asking prices by 2.4% in the past year to a UK average of £246,235, according to research from Rightmove – the third consecutive monthly increase.