Small and medium-size builders have reported a rising workload for the first time since 2007, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).
The Federation’s State of Trade Survey shows the net balance for workloads, expected workloads, and enquiries in the second quarter of 2013 was positive across most of the UK for the first time in six years. In Scotland there is a negative net balance of –26, showing conditions had deteriorated for small and medium builders during the three months to June.
Brian Berry, FMB’s chief executive, said: “After one of the toughest and most sustained economic downturns since the Second World War, it is encouraging to see conditions may be easing for Britain’s beleaguered builders.
“While these figures are a sign that the worst may finally be behind us, the building trade has a long way to go to get back to pre-2008 levels of employment and output, and there are many hurdles still to overcome. We must not be complacent, as consumer confidence is fragile at best.”
