The increasing shortages of bricks and bricklayers will threaten future house building plans, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).

The warning comes after the FMB’s State of Trade Survey for the first quarter of 2015, which showed that half of all construction SMEs were finding it difficult to recruit bricklayers.

In addition, 62% of firms were waiting up to two months for new brick orders – and one in four were waiting up to four months. Some 16% were waiting six to eight months.

Brian Berry, FMB chief executive, said: “The brick manufacturers are working hard to reignite their kilns which were mothballed during the recession. However, in the meantime, let’s make sure small local house builders are not overlooked in favour of large house builders when it comes to manufacturers meeting requests for new bricks.”

He said: “In terms of skills, the ever-growing lack of bricklayers is causing concern. Compared to this time one year ago, more than twice the firms are reporting difficulties recruiting these tradespeople. In the short term, many SME house builders may have to rely on migrant labour.”

Mr Berry said the new government had to set the right framework in terms of apprenticeship funding and apprenticeship standards – while more construction firms of all sizes needed to willingly engage with training.