While the cost of land has increased rapidly in recent years and labour costs are rising, especially in the construction sector, the costs of raw materials are also rising and the price of bricks went up by 13.5% last year, according to one leading producer.

The rising price of bricks helped Michelmersh Brick Holdings double its operating profit last year, with just a 10% increase in turnover. The firm reportedly sole 70m bricks last year.

Average prices increased by 13.5%, which chairman Eric Gadsden said was the first increase for six years. He also said that a generational oversupply of bricks had come to an end and the market was now reliant on increasing levels of imports.

“The current environment brings a new set of challenges with our stocks, and industry stocks, at an all-time low,” he said. “Bricks are no longer immediately available on demand.”