With news that construction workloads have turned positive in the UK for the first time in two years, it was disappointing to learn that in Scotland the net balance of workloads remained in the red at -6%

Such revelations, along with recent statistics showing that the rate of private housebuilding slumped to less than half the level it used to be two years ago (it was only 11,447 in 2009), does nothing to boost the confidence of those involved in the industry.

Our members rely more than ever on a consistent flow of public sector work to sustain their order books. With public budgets being cut and finances being squeezed, this suggests that the immediate prospects for Scotland鈥檚 building industry remain extremely challenging.

I would urge the Scottish government to consider all possibilities to accelerate the availability of capital expenditure to improve upon its planned build programme.

Michael Levack, chief executive, Scottish 好色先生TV Federation