Northern Ireland continues to remain the UK sector with the highest decline in construction-based work.

According to recent findings by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Northern Ireland remains the UK region with the largest number of construction sector chartered surveyors experiencing declining workloads.

The RICS report revealed that all sub- sectors in Northern Ireland experienced a fall in activity during the three-month period. Indeed expectations of Northern Ireland’s construction industry remain bleak, with further falls in work, employment and profit predicted.

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RICS Northern Ireland construction spokesman Jim Sammon said: "We’re seeing no let-up in the recession in the local construction sector, as the continuing decline in public spending and the unavailability of finance to support construction projects continues.

"But whilst public money is tight, there are things that can be done to help create an enabling environment for the sector, which is key to Northern Ireland’s economic future."

It is suggested by RICS that the fast-tracking of economically important planning applications, and the introduction of measures to raise additional revenue to help ensure money is available for capital spending, would help the country’s construction sector.

Meanwhile workloads are increasing for those located in London and South East England.

(LB/BMcC)