Only manufacturing suffered worse in the downturn as 12% of all construction jobs were lost between the end of 2007 and the last quarter of 2011.

Recent indicators show construction employment levels are rising again but the TUC warned the industry is still “a long way off pre-recession health”.

The union organisation warned that the falls have had a devastating effect on youth unemployment.

Labour Force Survey statistics show 258,855 workers under 25 are currently employed in construction alongside 1,893,686 over the age of 25.