Surge in growth helps Scotland post higher GDP figures than the rest of the UK

Construction sector in Scotland grows by 10.4% in the second quarter of the year.

A surge in construction activity north of the border has helped Scotland post higher levels of GDP growth than the rest of the UK.

Construction grew by 10.4% in the second quarter of 2010, boosting total GDP growth to 1.3%, according to statistics provided by the Scottish government.

This is fractionally above the national average of 1.2%, and is the fastest quarterly growth seen since the second quarter of 2006.

Finance Secretary John Swinney said that the construction recovery was driven by an injection of cash by the government.

He said: “The strong growth in the construction sector in both Q1 and Q2 of 2010 is evidence that we were absolutely right to take decisive and comprehensive action through our Economic Recovery Plan, stimulating investment by bringing forward capital projects and delivering an infrastructure programme worth 3.3 billion pounds in 2010/11 - providing much needed support for construction and employment.”

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