Roofers and carpenters have also been added to the list, which temporarily eases visa restrictions in areas where employers are struggling to fill vacancies. Fishing jobs have also been added to the list.

The Home Office said that this would “aid the delivery of key national infrastructure and stimulate growth for related industries”.

Those working in a shortage occupation can be paid 80% of the job’s going rate and still get a skilled worker visa, and benefit from a lower application fee. Applicants need a sponsored job offer from an employer and must meet English language requirements.

The Migration Advisory Committee (MAC) advised adding builders to the list back in March.

Advisors on MAC recommended five jobs for inclusion on the list:

• Bricklayers and masons
• Roofers, roof tilers and slaters
• Carpenters and joiners
• Variety of other workers in the construction and building trades
• Plasterers

Suzannah Nichol, Build UK chief executive, said she welcomed the news, adding: “It is vital that construction is able to fill vacancies and quickly address shortages around particular roles.”

Eddie Tuttle, policy, research and external affairs director at the Chartered Institute of Building, said: “We very much welcome this announcement which in our view is long overdue. The addition of these roles to the Shortage Occupation List is something we have called for through the Construction Leadership Council (CLC) and we’re glad the industry’s voice has been heard as the construction sector directly plays a vital role in the UK economy and is an enabler to so many others.

“While we acknowledge our industry needs to work harder to attract workers from here in the UK, there is an immediate skills shortage which must be addressed and without a good supply of skilled workers from abroad, as well as homegrown talent, projects large and small including the likes of schools, hospitals, new homes and key infrastructure simply won’t happen.”