In a graphic illustration of the UK’s dire skills shortage, a recruitment consultancy says construction firms in London are hiring bricklayers from Portugal and are paying them £1,000 a week.

Figures collated by Manpower reveal both a surge in construction sector growth and a shortage of adequately skilled job candidates.

The survey of 2,000 employers revealed that a third of large building companies in the Capital were prevented from bidding for major contracts because of a skills shortage.

Meanwhile, Manpower’s managing director Mark Cahill said bricklayers’ pay had doubled from £500 a week and companies were looking to places like Portugal to find the right employees, the BBC reported.

The survey also showed companies are planning a job creation “surge” next year, with Manpower predicting the highest level of job creation in 40 years.

The BBC reported a Department for Communities and Local Government spokesperson as saying: "In the last year alone planning permission has been granted on 230,000 new homes and private house building starts are at their highest for seven years.

"The government wants to maintain this momentum and ensure British workers - whether those leaving school, leaving our armed forces or considering a return to the industry - benefit from the new career opportunities available.”