LABOUR is challenging the government to help create hundreds of thousands of new jobs, with the majority of them in the manufacturing and green sectors.

The party will call on the Tories today to back a Build it in Britain scheme and support 400,000 new jobs for a green recovery from the coronavirus economic crisis.  

Ahead of this month’s Comprehensive Spending Review, Labour is pressing for new high-skilled jobs in every part of Britain as part of a drive towards “a clean economy.”

It also wants the infrastructure for the low-carbon economy to be built in Britain.

Labour’s appeal follow an extensive consultation with businesses and trade unions which received almost 2,000 responses.

The consultation’s report indicated that the government must bring forward planned capital investment and spend at least £30 billion in the next 18 months on low-carbon sectors.

It also found that an emergency training programme is needed for workers who have become unemployed during the pandemic.

Responses to the consultation also called for the creation of a national investment bank, similar to those in other countries, which would be focused on green investment.  

The report details a number of areas where progress in Britain has so far been limited.

They include investment in upgrading ports and shipyards for offshore wind supply chains, acceleration of planned investment in electric vehicle charging infrastructure, bringing forward orders for electric buses, expansion of energy-efficiency programmes for homes, including those in social housing, and bringing forward flood protection in areas across England’s north-west, Yorkshire and the Midlands.

Another proposal is for the introduction of a national nature service, creating jobs on nature conservation projects.  

Shadow secretary of state for business, energy and industrial strategy Ed Miliband said: “It’s time for a bold and ambitious plan to deliver hundreds of thousands of jobs which can also tackle the climate crisis. 

“This is the right thing to do for so many people who are facing unemployment, the right thing to do for our economy to get a lead in the industries of the future and the right thing to do to build a better quality of life for people in our country. 

“As other countries lead the way with a green recovery, Britain is hesitating. It’s time to end the dither and inaction and start delivering now.”