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Kier emerged at the top of a diminishing heap of work in September, helped by a brace of schools projects valued at more than 拢40m. This time last year Kier, also topped the table, but then it had 拢665m worth of contracts. Last month it took only 拢160m to come first.

Huge cuts in public sector budgets are expected in next week鈥檚 Comprehensive Spending Review, but government largesse continued to dominate the market last month, accounting for almost two-thirds of the total spend.

Laing O鈥橰ourke鈥檚 number two place was almost entirely the result of a 拢120m contract for a cancer treatment centre for Guy鈥檚 and St Thomas鈥� NHS Foundation Trust in London as part of a consortium that also includes Anshen Allen and Rogers Stirk Harbour + Partners. Laing O鈥橰ourke failed to pick up a single commercial project in September, emphasising the fast-shrinking role of the state in keeping the industry afloat.

Britain鈥檚 besieged schools continued to spread what is left of their riches among the rest of the country鈥檚 contractors. Wates, Costain, Bam, Interserve and Vinci were among those that benefited from about 拢250m of education projects.

A number of firms also picked up social housing schemes, including Durkan, which was catapulted into 13th place on the back of 拢50m worth of housing jobs.

Slim pickings perhaps, but better than none. And with little sign of a strong pick-up in the private sector, fears persist that the government will pull the plug on these types of schemes, and with it the industry鈥檚 recovery prospects, in Wednesday鈥檚 spending review.

Kier also emerged at the top of the table when civils work was taken into account - in fact the same top four earners dominated both tables. Spending on energy and transport infrastructure is expected to be increased in the review, but this may be paid for by a decrease in construction spending elsewhere.

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