Majors stick with Scotland

Leaders of the Scottish Building Employers Federation have expressed confidence that all of the top 11 firms in the Major Contractors Group will retain their membership of the SBEF despite them having given notice of withdrawal from the Building Employers Confederation of England and Wales.

"I don't think there is going to be any problem as far as the SBEF is concerned," said Sid Pattern, chief executive of the Scottish federation.

"I have spoken to a number of the MCG firms. They recognise the special circumstances of the Scottish scene - not just in terms of the industry but in its politics, training structure, and legal system.

"They recognise the political channels that the federation opens to them."