Barratt Developments confirmed the move in an update to the city this morning.

Barratt employs around 6,000 staff with more than 5,000 set to be furloughed.

It said: “We are in the process of furloughing around 85% of our employees. We will pay furloughed employees their normal pay while they are furloughed until at least the end of May 2020.”

The update added that Barratt will “actively managing cash flows whilst ensuring that we are paying our suppliers and subcontractors on time.”

Barratt closed main works on all of its sites by March 27.

But work continued on finishing homes on some sites seeing 1,349 completions delivered between the end of April and last week.

Barratt said: “Our experienced Board remains focused on taking the right actions and planning for the future, so that when appropriate to do so, we can re-start our sales centres, construction sites and offices safely and are well-placed to continue to deliver the high quality homes the country needs.”