Latest labour market figures from Scotland’s Annual Population Survey show the construction sector shed 14,500 jobs last year alone.

The fall took employment within the Scottish constructionindustry to 172,700 – the lowest level since current records began in 2004.

Scottish Building Federation Executive Director Michael Levack said: “We already know about the tough times building firms are currently experiencing.  But these figures lay bare the huge extent of the damage done to the construction industry by the economic downturn.

“Over the past five years, more jobs have been lost from the building sector than from the Scottish economy as a whole. Since 2008, we’ve lost more than a quarter of our workforce, which is nothing short of staggering.”

The federation has now written to Scottish and UK Government Ministers to draw their attention to the new figures and to urge them to take continued action to rebuild industry capacity.

Levack said: “Job losses of this scale require the Scottish and UK Governments to adopt a targeted strategy to rebuild capacity.

“That must include tax measures such as cutting VAT on building repairs and maintenance to stimulate industry activity.

“There must be more focused support to help building companies recruit and retain apprentices.

“We also need to see a sustained effort to prioritise public investment in construction activity and further measures to streamline planning and procurement to get projects off the ground more quickly.”