Builders’ merchant Travis Perkins said today that it plans to open 400 new branches, creating 4,000 jobs, over the next four years.

The company, which operates nearly 2,000 UK outlets, with its brands also including Wickes, Toolstation and City Plumbing, said the plans will be supported by a an investment programme of between £150million and £200m a year.

The group said that the recovering UK economy had spurred its plans for growth. It backed plans by Chancellor George Osborne to introduce Help to Buy ISAs in yesterday’s Budget and said recent plans to graduate Stamp Duty would also benefit home owners.

Travis Perkins plans to open new branches all over the country, adding that these new outlets will be supported by new facilities or extensions to distribution plants in Warrington, Leeds, Northampton, Coventry, Cardiff and Tilbury.

Chief executive John Carter said: “Travis Perkins’ ability to create 4,000 new jobs reflects confidence in our businesses, the markets we operate in and the UK economy as whole.”

Mr Carter added: “This confidence is supported by a number of actions taken by the Government over the past two years, including the new Help to Buy ISA announced yesterday, that are continuing to support construction activity and improvements in consumer confidence.”

Mr Osborne said the decision to create 4,000 new jobs and make significant investment was a vote of confidence in the UK.

The Chancellor added: “The Government is committed to providing continued support to the construction sector, which is why in the Budget I announced a new Help to Buy ISA for first-time buyers to help them save for their first home.”

Travis Perkins, which last year achieved sales of £5.6billion, said the jobs will include 170 apprenticeships for younger people every year and 200 posts for branch managers and assistant managers. The firm said last year it created 1,500 jobs.