Construction leaders have written to the prime minister and chancellor urging them to do everything they can to keep sites open for as long as possible – or face having to bail out the industry on an unprecedented scale.

There are growing concerns that, following last night’s ramping up of restrictions on daily life in the UK by Boris Johnson, sites will grind to a halt if transport networks are shut down and materials get stuck at ports.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak is due to give an update on the emergency financial measures being planned by the government later this afternoon.

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