The worst could be over for the construction sector, according to recruiters.

Over 500 firms went bust this spring, according to research from accountancy firm Wilkins Kennedy.

But Martin Makinson, director at Bromak, told Recruiter that the rate of decline has slowed. “Hopefully, things aren’t getting any worse. Whether there has been a full scale revival, though, I think it’s too early to call.

“Public sector and large scale civil projects have continued to grow. The private sector is still fragile because companies are dependent on the banks to give them money. The private sector is not out of the woods yet.”

Mike Wynn, managing director at CP Recruitment, adds: “Our figures are based on a marked upturn in the last quarter of the year from October. Our numbers have been improving. It has been survival of the fittest. We have seen our numbers starting to improve and the firms still using agencies are still in business.”