Almost half (48%) of Scottish construction companies suffer skills shortages, according to the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).

The survey of 176 firms found a large difference between the sector’s skills gaps in Scotland and the rest of the UK.

Less than a third (28%) of non-Scottish UK firms quizzed reported skills shortages, a drop from 46% in 2003.

RICS economist David Stubbs said it was due to problems bringing the UK’s supply of European labour into Scotland.

“Scotland has certainly not seen the same effect as the rest of the country. I’m sure there has been some marginal impact, but not nearly to the same extent as in London and the South East,” he commented.

He added that the future of the country’s construction industry was optimistic.

“This year is going to be a better year than 2005 across the country and there is no reason why Scotland should be any different.”