UK construction sector activity eased back last month as uncertainty surrounding the general election result led more businesses to put off big spending decisions.

A survey by IHS Markit showed the result, which left the Tories without a majority, sparked "renewed caution" among businesses, even as housebuilding rose at the second-fastest pace since the end of 2015 and demand remained "resilient".

Commercial work and civil engineering activity slowed in June, as respondents said they had become more cautious, reflecting concerns about the economic outlook and heightened political uncertainty.

The IHS Markit construction purchasing managers' index (PMI) eased back to 54.8 in June. This was slightly below economists' expectations and down from 56 in May.

However, activity remains well above the 50 level that divides growth from contraction, and the average of 51.6 over the previous 12 months.

Tim Moore, a senior economist at Markit, said the election result sparked fresh jitters among businesses.

"Fragile business sentiment led to delayed decision-making on large projects and greater concern about the outlook for workloads during the next 12 months," he said, as optimism about future growth fell to the lowest this year.

Price pressures remained "intense", according to IHS Markit, amid "resilient demand and upward pressure on costs of imported construction materials."