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The beleaguered housing sector took another blow this week as the UK鈥檚 three largest brickmakers decided to raise prices by up to 15% next year.

It is understood that Ibstock Brick, Hanson and Wienerberger are all planning shock increases, which are roughly double the percentage rises introduced last year. This is despite a recent reduction in fuel prices and a fall in demand owing to the sharp drop in housing starts, which has led all three companies to close factories in recent months.

Hanson is currently writing to customers detailing a rise of about 12% for bricks and other products, including aggregates, asphalt and cement. Ibstock is advising customers that there will be a rise of 14%, although its website says it may increase prices 15-20%.

Wienerberger refused to comment on any price hikes, although industry sources said it is expected to increase prices by a similar amount to its rivals.

The exact prices will depend on the type of brick and the delivery distance. However, as an indication, rises of this magnitude would increase the price of 1,000 bricks by about 拢45, from 拢300 to 拢345. This could add 拢675 to the cost of building a home that uses 15,000 bricks.

Ibstock and Hanson denied they had spoken to rivals before deciding on the rise, which they attributed to increases in their fixed costs over the past year.

A Hanson spokesperson said: 鈥淲e鈥檝e been affected by energy prices and delivery costs. We鈥檝e absorbed a huge amount, but our costs have risen dramatically.鈥�

However, it is a blow to the housing sector, and will more than cancel out the reduction in the VAT charged on building products from 17.5% to 15%, announced by chancellor Alistair Darling in his pre-Budget report.

A spokesperson for the Home Builders Federation said: 鈥淗ousebuilders will have to negotiate with brick makers. We understand they need to pass on costs, but it鈥檚 a matter of making sure there aren鈥檛 too many onerous pressures on housebuilders.鈥�