But making individually tailored cars, while profitable, is a labour-intensive process that requires time and space.

Mr Padgham, who chairs the Independent Care Group, which represents independent providers, said that as a labour-intensive sector an increase in employee costs was "the last thing social care needed".

Meanwhile, an announcement is expected this month to confirm that Scotland’s only remaining oil refinery at Grangemouth will shut down early next year to become a less labour-intensive oil and gas import terminal.

"In my wildest dreams I did not think that I would get into growing fox nuts, as it was a labour-intensive job, which was mostly carried out by fishermen."

Snare removal is labour-intensive and costly, since rangers need to cover large areas on foot in rugged and inaccessible terrain.