Enterprise Minister Jim Mather, Housing Minister Alex Neil and Skills Minister Angela Constance have met construction industry representatives to discuss opportunities for the government and the sector to work closely together.

The Ministers outlined how the Scottish Government's actions to strengthen the economy is supporting vital jobs and growth in construction.

After coming through a tough period during the recession, Scotland's construction sector continued to grow in the third quarter of 2010, outperforming the UK and supporting the wider Scottish economy. The number of construction jobs in Scotland increased by 14 per cent to 187,000 over the year to September 2010.

Ahead of the meeting in Edinburgh, Mr Mather said: "Scotland's economic picture is strengthening. After a shorter and shallower recession than the UK as a whole, we are seeing further positive signs of recovery built in Scotland and with its foundations in the construction sector and our capital spending programme.

"While there is no doubt that construction, like our economy as a whole, has faced some extremely tough times, there has been strong growth in this sector for three consecutive quarters now, outperforming the UK as a whole. That vindicates the decisive action we have taken through our Economic Recovery Plan to stimulate investment by bringing forward work on vital infrastructure projects in 2008-09 and 2009-10 and by maximising our £3.3 billion capital spending for 2010-11.


"Today's summit forms a crucial part of the Scottish Government's ongoing work and engagement with the construction sector and presents a chance to emphasise its vital importance. Not only is it a driver of job creation, a solid infrastructure base is also a crucial foundation on which to build our growth strategy. The strategy is based on supporting growth companies, in growth industries and the expansion of Scottish firms into growth markets."

Mr Mather said the summit presents an opportunity to outline our strong commitment to building on the growth we have seen through continued investment in infrastructure, affordable housing, skills and business support.

"For example our 2011-12 Budget will deliver major investments to support national infrastructure priorities, including initial work on the new Forth Crossing, investment in the New South Glasgow Hospitals - both to be delivered through traditional capital funding - and Scotland's Schools for the Future building programme," he said.

"We will take forward a major pipeline of transport, education and health infrastructure projects worth up to £2.5 billion through the Non-Profit Distributing (NPD) model - to be delivered by the Scottish Futures Trust in partnership with the Scottish Government, local government, NHS boards and other public bodies.

"We will build on the record £1.7 billion we have invested in affordable housing since 2008 through our 2011-12 Budget, which, working with our funding partners, will generate around £600 million investment in new affordable housing supply, support the delivery of around 6,000 new affordable homes and help to support around 7,500 jobs. And we will offer 25,000 Modern Apprenticeships in 2011-12 - the highest ever number in Scotland."

The meeting included representatives of the Scottish Construction Forum, Scottish Futures Trust, Scottish Building Federation, Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors, Scottish Property Federation, Civil Engineering Contractors Association and the Royal Incorporation of Architects in Scotland.

(GK/KMcA)