The fastest rise in housebuilding so far in 2019 has also helped to drive up construction output for the first time this year.

According to the latest IHS Markit/CIPS survey, output increased for the first time in April despite a dip in activity in both the commercial and civil engineering sectors, while the IHS Markit/CIPS UK Construction total activity index posted above the neutral 50.0 threshold for the first time since January, sitting at 50.5 in April, up from 49.7 in March.

Duncan Brock of the CIPS said the rise in residential activity was the only saviour for a sector that was otherwise heading for contraction again this month.