People wanting a 'green' virus recovery plan

People support investing in insulating homes and other measures to tackle climate change to help recover from the coronavirus pandemic, polling suggests.

The findings come as a report says investing in a green recovery and low-carbon areas of employment - including a drive to insulate homes and prepare for new clean heating systems - could create 1.6 million new jobs.

Think tank IPPR's report warns that without Governmentintervention,unemployment could rise by more than 2.1 million to almost 10% of the workforce.

Itsaysactiontoinvestinimproving the energy efficiency of homes and building new zero-carbon social housing, could generate 560,000 jobs.

Investing in better and moresustainablepublictransportincludingrailservicesand electric buses, more pedestrian areas, cycle lanes and electric vehicle charging could generate more than 230,000 jobs.

Environmental groups were dismayed when Prime Minister Boris Johnson’s “new deal” plans speech to reboot the economy earlier this week, included building new roads and raised the prospect ofsweepingawayenvironmental protections in the planning system.

Polling by Savanta ComRes forIPPRsuggestsministersare out of step with the public on the issue, with 74% saying the Government should spend more on action which will address climate change and protect the environment.

Luke Murphy, IPPR associate director, said: "Our report finds that clean recovery investments are good for jobs and good for the environment - and the public agree.

"We urgently need to make substantialinvestmenttoinsulate the nation's homes.”