A STRENGTHENING residential housebuilding sector has helped drive the construction industry to a four-month high, it has been claimed.

A report says work on new properties delivered more jobs in June and lifted employment numbers at their fastest pace since December.

The impact meant overall construction sector activity was at its best since February.

According to the Markit/CIPS purchasing managers’ index (PMI), the industry recorded 58.1 last month, which was higher than May’s 55.9, and well above the 50 figure used to separate growth from contraction.

The report said commercial and civil engineering had also enjoyed a sharp upturn in work, with higher demand filling order books.

Tim Moore, Markit senior economist and author of the PMI report, said confidence was back after pre-General Election jitters dented firms’ progress.

He added: “Companies experienced a growth rebound and surge in business confidence at the end of the second quarter.

“The extent of the rise in optimism is partly down to relief that election uncertainty has now passed, but it also suggests firms are infused with confidence that underlying demand will continue to recover.

“Extra workloads and positivity regarding the year ahead also meant job creation accelerated to its strongest so far in 2015.”