In the first half of 2009, support services and construction group Carillion posted a 13% increase in income from £2.4bn to £2.7bn.

Pre-tax profit grew 92% from £27m to £52m; and the company scrapped its debt from £264m to £146m.

John McDonough, chief executive, said: “All business segments showed improvement but a support service is where the real momentum was in the UK. For example, the BT contract we have a letter of intent for was the largest outsourcing job in the UK this year. The deal for the joint venture is worth £1bn.”

McDonough said: “All business segments showed improvement, but support services is where the real momentum was in the UK.”

Abu Dhabi saw its work growing from £11m in the first six months of 2008 to £190m this year, which was acknowledged by McDonough.

Work in Dubai decreased from £112m to £74m; and work in the emirate was described as ticking along at a lower level.