Year on year output in the second quarter was estimated to have increased by 2.4 per cent.

Upward pressure on the quarter came from all new work which increased by 1.0 per cent, with private new housing, infrastructure and public other new work increasing by 3.9 per cent, 0.5 per cent and 1.2 per cent respectively.

All repair and maintenance decreased by 1.2 per cent in the second quarter from the first quarter of the year. Public housing repair and maintenance and non-housing repair and maintenance reported falls of 0.4 per cent and 3.9 per cent respectively.

Output in the construction industry was estimated to have increased by 0.9 per cent in June 2015 compared with May 2015. On the year, output in the construction industry increased by 2.6 per cent in June 2015 compared with June 2014.

Encouraged by the industry growth, Gordon Reid, business development manager for Kier Construction in Scotland, said: “These latest findings demonstrate the ongoing confidence felt within the sector and this is echoed at Kier Construction in Scotland, where we have recently recruited more employees and opened a new office in Inverness to meet growing demand.

“New business wins, contract completions and delivering a host of successful projects through frameworks, including hub South West, Health Facilities Scotland and Scape National Minor Works, have placed us in a very strong position in securing a robust pipeline of work.

“The latest ONS findings released today give the sector a real positivity as we move towards the latter part of 2015, and with a growing order book, flexible business model and our dedicated and talented people, we look forward to closing the year on a high.”

Allan Callaghan, managing director of Cruden Building & Renewals, added: “The latest positive ONS figures published today directly correlate with the growth and buoyancy which we are currently experiencing at Cruden.

“An increase in output and new orders have helped to boost the latest figures and we ourselves have seen a rise in production during the previous quarter. With success comes responsibly, and all operators in the industry need to play a part in maintaining this steady course, not least by addressing the skills gap.

“Cruden has always undertaken a successful apprenticeship scheme where we help to shape and prepare future generations entering the construction sector. These figures come in a week where have taken on 13 new apprentices, illustrating our ongoing commitment to addressing skills shortages within the industry while supporting our ongoing growth aspirations.

“These figures illustrate confidence and buoyancy within the sector and we fully expect this to remain within an industry which has once again show its resilience in the face of economic challenges.”