The Office for National Statistics said new work grew by 3.3% and repair and maintenance by 3.1% compared to the previous quarter.

There were rises in all new work sectors and in all repair and maintenance sectors with the exception of infrastructure new work which saw a decrease of 5.1%, infrastructure repair and maintenance with a decrease of 2.4% and public housing repair and maintenance with a decrease of 4%.

The public other repair and maintenance and private industrial sectors saw particularly strong growth of 11.3% and 9.8% respectively.

The industry remains sceptical about official official figures showing strong growth while contractors continue to scrabble for work.

One contractor told the Enquirer: ” These Government bean counters seem to be living in a parallel universe.”