After a recent materials and skilled staff shortage, builders across the country have struggled to keep pace with the demand for maintenance work and new homes. A 24-year high was hit in June but as July followed, so did the slowest paced month the construction industry has had since February due to firms running low on materials after stockpiling in the first half of the year and not being able to find enough workers to fulfil the overflowing orders. The future is looking promising however as a consistently high level of growth was likely to establish itself once the pressure on supply lines began to ease.