Berlin claims that a charm offensive to lure London’s technology start-ups is paying dividends, with five companies said to have relocated and a further 39 considering a move.

Officials wrote to hundreds of British technology companies after Brexit urging them to move to protect their interests

Attractions include lower commercial and living costs and the promise of continued access to the free movement of European labour.

Be Berlin, a promotional organisation for the German capital, has been running an aggressive campaign to woo entrepreneurs.

Cornelia Yzer, Berlin senator for economics, technology and research, warned start-ups in August that Brexit would “severely affect your operations in the United Kingdom”.