Campaigners claimed the latest payouts totalled “in the region of £15-20million plus legal costs.”

The settlements come as the full blacklist trial looms at the High Court with the case set to start on May 9 and scheduled to run until July 31.

The first tranche of payouts to 71 workers was agreed in February at a cost of £5.6m.

Eight contractors – Balfour Beatty, Carillion, Costain, Kier, Laing O’Rourke, Sir Robert McAlpine, Skanska UK and Vinci PLC –  have set up The Construction Workers Compensation Scheme to try and settle with victims out of court.

A spokeswoman for the contractors confirmed that 180 new settlements had been reached but declined to discuss payout figures for confidentiality reasons.

Campaigners at the Blacklist Support Group said there are currently 154 live claims remaining plus 82 recently issued new claims.