According to The Construction Purchasing Managers Index, building activity in December was slightly up on the previous month, but still below the 50-point mark.

But over 40% of respondents said they expected the market to pick up in 2024, as interest rates fall and market confidence returns.

Just 17% predicted a market decline.

Tim Moore, economics director with S&P Global Market Intelligence, said the current outlook was a contrast to the negative sentiment at the same time last year.

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A painter and decorator on TikTok is urging his customers to spend more on paint, rather than buy the cheapest tin they see.

Stuart McLean took to the social media platform to warn punters that buying cheap paint would cost them more in the long run.

McLean told The Sun: “there have been cases when I’ve told customers they would need to buy two and a half litres of paint. But the coverage has been so bad they’ve had to go and get more, and it’s taken about seven litres.”

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And finally, being a world-champion kickboxer has helped Glasgow-based Brooke Reeves thrive as an apprentice electrician.

19-year-old Reeves, who won two titles last year at the Open World Championships said kickboxing has given her the right attitude to be successful in the male-dominated industry.

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