The SME construction sector across the UK saw the economic recovery continue into the final quarter of 2013, with Scotland moving into a positive balance for the first time since the first quarter of 2008, reports the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).
The FMB State of Trade survey, conducted by Experian, showed another quarter of steady growth across the UK, but of the four home nations, Scotland experienced the biggest improvement, of 7 percentage points, taking it to +4 – the first positive reading since the first months of 2008. The proportion of weighted responses which were positive fell, to 26% from 30%, while those which were negative also declined, from a third of firms to 22%.
Commenting on the results of the FMB’s State of Trade Survey for the final quarter of 2013, Grahame Barn, FMB Scotland Director, said: “This survey shows that Scotland’s SME building sector is back on track, posting the most positive results in nearly six years. However, there is still more to do.”
Barn continued: “Scotland needs to be building and refurbishing nearly 9,000 more homes a year just to keep up with demand. The cost of supplies keeps rising, and a 20% VAT is still giving cowboy builders the ability to take advantage of householders who are themselves just finding their footing in the recovery.”
Barn concluded: “Let\'s keep this recovery going by relaxing planning regulations on brown-field sites and cutting VAT to 5% of all home improvement work to give consumers the confidence they need to undertake new home improvements.”
