The ups and downs at a glance

Current trends
up - Tender prices rose 2% over the past three months and 7.5% over the past year
up - Construction activity expanded for the 29th consecutive month in June
up - Output in 2000 rose for a fifth consecutive year, reaching £69.53bn, or 7.4% of GDP
up - 80% of firms surveyed were having trouble finding bricklayers, plasterers and carpenters
up - Two forecasting bodies positive about continuing growth over the next three years Forecasts
up - Tender price inflation will range from 2.5% to 4.5% in the next twelve months
up - Price rises will be more marked because of the climate change levy an