The Government has committed to revamping PFI and has been briefing widely about plans to pump private funds into infrastructure and social housing work.

The plans have raised hopes across the industry and all contractors have now penciled in November 29 as a defining day for future workloads.

One contracting boss told the Enquirer: “It looks like things are moving at Whitehall and they finally realise that a strong construction industry can lead the recovery.

“It’s been about bad news for us for too long now and this is vital to start the industry thinking positively again.”

Another contractor added: “Things won’t change overnight but there is the feeling that we are turning the tanker around.

“We need this spending boost because jobs are drying up. I’m talking about the £10m bread and butter jobs which just aren’t coming through at the moment.

“The Autumn statement will be a massive day for all of us and let’s just hope we get concrete plans and a real timetable rather than just more talk and promises.”