An MP blamed the housebuilding slowdown for the move at Forterra’s plant in Accrington, Lancashire – whose Nori bricks built the foundations for Blackpool Tower and the Empire State Building.

The PM and George Osborne both trumpeted Tory success during a visit on January 8 in their tour to launch the Northern Powerhouse.

The Chancellor claimed the factory reopening after two years was the “strongest evidence possible that Britain and the north west are coming back”.

… Just 11 months later the firm is looking at axing 15 of the 54 jobs at the site.

One anonymous worker claimed 25 million unsold bricks were lying unused in the yard and 12 out of 24 production staff would be affected.

Hyndburn Labour MP Graham Jones said he was “really concerned”, adding: “Christmas is an awful time to receive notice of redundancy.

“It’s a worry that housebuilding is beginning to slow down and there is a considerable surplus of bricks building up which reflects on the whole economy.”