UK construction orders up 18 pct in second quarter

British construction orders rose 18 percent in the second quarter of 2009 compared with the previous three months, but were still down 21 percent on the year, official data showed on Thursday.

The Office for National Statistics said private housing orders rose 25 percent over the quarter, but fell 33 percent on the year. Infrastructure orders were up 4 percent compared with the previous three months for a 27 percent rise on the year, and private commercial orders were up 8 percent in the three months to June but were 46 percent lower on the year.