Contractors report that around 97% of infrastructure and construction sites are now operating, up from 93% a fortnight ago.

According to a survey of firms by trade body Build UK output is now starting to rise slowly as firms get to grips with 2m distancing and safer working practices.

Infrastructure sites are now achieving 89% of pre-Covid productivity, up from 85% two weeks ago.  Even on more challenging building sites productivity is up to 78% from 74% two weeks ago.

Member firms with housing sites confirmed that 93% of their sites in England and Wales are now open, up from 68% a month ago, with output rising from 53% to 78% during that period.

In Scotland, the situation is very different as firms wait for the First Minister’s all-clear to open non-essential building sites.

Around one-fifth of projects are reported to be open, but at very low outputs.

The Scottish Government is currently implementing Phase 1 of its COVID-19 route map out of the crisis, which involves site preparations for physical distancing for a soft re-start.

Under the plan, which required a two-week set-up period, the Scottish Government could give the go-ahead for reduced site working from tomorrow.