There were some glimmers of hope across the industry today as another major contractor began opening sites and the government told building control inspectors to get back to work.

At the same time brickmaker Michelmersh announced it was recommencing production at all its UK kilns, despite the lockdown restrictions brought in to combat the coronavirus pandemic.

In a sign of confidence that UK housebuilders will be able to get back on to sites in May, the UK’s fourth largest brickmaker said it will “this week begin an orderly and safe recommencement of production across its plants”.

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