TRA chief executive Nick Boulton said the announcement couldn’t have come at a better time.

“As the construction industry is getting back on its feet, it is good to know the Government is prepared to spend where necessary and make good on its earlier promises,” he said.

“As originally set out in the Budget in March, the £12bn allocated for affordable homes will really help the current situation and the sooner it can be accessed the better.

“We do not know how long this virus will be part of our lives and so we should start building the safe, affordable homes that create greater resilience, and allow social distancing, as soon as possible. The Brownfield Land Fund is also important to bring much-needed new homes to city locations.

“As a membership body within the construction supply chain, our members need to see a clear pipeline of demand to give them the confidence to protect jobs, take on apprentices and continue their own investment plans.

“A confirmed commitment to deliver 180,000 affordable homes will help to support that confidence and deliver some of the much-needed safe homes, that through this crisis, many of us have come to rediscover as the essential foundation in our lives.”