Scottish Building Federation: Bosses 'more confident'

The Scottish Building Federation warned recovery across the different sectors of the industry remained "mixed"

Construction bosses in Scotland are at their most confident since the beginning of the economic downturn, according to an industry survey.

The Scottish Building Federation's latest Construction Monitor found confidence in positive territory for the third quarter in a row.

The latest survey recorded its highest rating since the monitor began in 2008.

However, the federation warned that recovery across the different sectors of the industry remained mixed.

It said while there was strong growth in infrastructure and private commercial activity, housebuilding remained flat.

The Scottish Construction Monitor charts industry confidence on a quarterly basis, asking federation members how confident they feel about the prospects for their business over the next 12 months compared to the previous year.

Recovery 'mixed'

Scottish Building Federation managing director Vaughan Hart said: "This is the first time that the percentage of companies more confident about the future outlook for their business compared to the last year has risen above the 50% mark.

"At the same time, it is important to keep these results in perspective. Recovery across the different sectors of the industry remains mixed.

"While there has been strong growth in infrastructure and private commercial activity, housebuilding remains flat.

"The challenge now must be to ensure the recovery is sustainable in the longer term. Industry confidence needs to reach a point where companies have the confidence to invest long-term in rebuilding skills and capacity."

He added: "I am not convinced we have reached that point yet."