UK construction sector growth slowed sharply in July to its weakest pace in 11 months, a survey has shown, with economic and political worries cited as a drag amid Brexit uncertainty.

New orders declined for the first time since last August, amid reports that some companies were more reluctant to spend and were taking longer to commit to new projects. The survey from the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS) also signals construction employment grew at the weakest pace in 11 months in July, while sub-contractor usage fell.

CIPS’s purchasing managers’ index for UK construction, which measures activity in the sector, tumbled from 54.8 in June to 51.9 in July on a seasonally-adjusted basis. While remaining above the level of 50 deemed to separate expansion from contraction, this drop signalled a sharp slowdown in growth.

Lower volumes of commercial property construction and a softer expansion of housebuilding activity were highlighted by the survey. Faster output growth was recorded in the civil engineering sub-sector.

CIPS, which cited the impact of Brexit, worries over the UK economy, and post-General Election uncertainty, said: “A number of survey respondents cited delays in decision-making by clients, linked to worries about the economic outlook and heightened political uncertainty.”

It added: “Construction firms commented on greater reluctance to commit to new projects among clients in July.”

Tim Moore, survey author and associate director at IHS Markit, flagged “weaker contributions from the cyclically sensitive areas of construction activity”.

Howard Archer, chief economic adviser to the EY ITEM Club think-tank, said: “This is a disappointing survey across the board, pointing to the construction sector being hit by increased client caution amid heightened economic and political uncertainties.”