They said over 22,300 additional engineers are needed in the next decade, with just 9.8 per cent of graduates coming from engineering disciplines, half the global average.

Diageo, which also owns Johnnie Walker whisky and Gordon’s gin, said Guinness sales have seen ‘extraordinary’ growth in recent months.

The supplier’s pricing and trading manager David Vickers said much of the increase in wholesale gas prices had already been ed on to customers.