Earlier this month, a survey found that almost 50% of senior managers at small- and medium-sized construction firms believe the current skills shortage is severe. 

Now, a coalition that includes the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) and the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB) has written to Mr Davis urging the government to ensure that construction firms would still have access to skilled migrant labour after Brexit.

Amanda Clack, president of the RICS, said: “…We are in the grip of our worst construction skills crisis in almost 20 years.

“There is a real concern within our industry that if access to a skilled workforce is further restricted, Britain could stop building.

“My colleagues and I would urge [the] government to keep this at the front of their minds when they come to negotiate our withdrawal from the EU.”

The Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) and the Royal Town Planning Institute also collaborated on the letter.

The group outlined five other priorities for the government to address, including training young people, boosting infrastructure investment and further devolution for regional authorities.

Increasing community development projects and maintaining the UK’s environmental protection standards were also listed as priorities. 

Jane Duncan, president of the RIBA, added: “With the right actions taken from the government to address our industry’s joint priorities, we can tackle the challenges and exploit the opportunities that Brexit will bring.

“But unless we fix the housing crisis and address the economic imbalances in our economy, the UK won’t be in a position to compete internationally.”