Scottish construction companies have reacted with dismay to figures from the Office of National Statistics showing a bleak outlook for 2012.

Across the UK, output fell 6% as only the private commercial sector dragged the industry as a whole away from the brink experienced in public sector building, where construction dropped more than 20%.

Noble Francis of the Construction Products Association said public sector housing output was 23% lower than last year and public non-housing, covering schools and hospitals, was down 22% in the three months to May, compared to the same months in 2011.

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He said: "Although the coalition has consistently made pronouncements of boosting UK construction and the economy, there is little sign of this in reality. Private commercial, the largest construction sector, continues to be the key bright area of construction but is not enough to offset the public sector cuts."

Mr Francis said if the company was "serious" about boosting UK construction recovery, it should find a replacement for PFI, focus on repair and maintenance to "get work on the ground now", and incentivise energy-saving improvements for householders.

Michael Levack, Chief Executive of the Scottish Building Federation, said the "eye-watering" figures painted "a truly depressing picture" especially as the concentration of construction in London due to the Olympics meant Scotland must be suffering more.

He called for more investment, saying: "While the Scottish Government's recent announcement of an additional £100million for 'shovel ready' infrastructure projects is very welcome, much more will need to be done – especially at UK level - to provide the stimulus the Scottish construction sector needs if we are to play our part in a sustainable economic recovery."

(NE)