Nearly two million jobs could be lost because of the coronavirus pandemic, a report warns today.
The Build Back Better campaign fears the scale of losses will rival the "deindustrialisation" of the 1980s.
In a study seen by the Mirror, it says: "We estimate that over 1.9m jobs are at risk of permanent loss from the long-term impacts of Covid-19 - a scale comparable to 'deindustrialisation' in the 1980s, which saw around two million manufacturing jobs permanently lost, but this time taking place in service industries and with a different geographic spread."
But the campaign believes 1.2 million jobs can be created through a £69billion plan over the next two years, along with a boost for social care.
© Getty ImagesThe study calls for money to be pumped into social care
The campaign calls for investment in wind and solar farms, expanding public transport and making existing buildings more environmentally-friendly through retrofitting.
It says pumping in £48.75bn across two years would create nearly 600,000 green infrastructure jobs, while £20bn for the care sector would create another 600,000 posts.
The study comes as a YouGov poll of 1,665 people commissioned by the grassroots organisation reveals only 17% of people believe the Government can reduce the unemployment triggered by the pandemic.
Some 73% fear the pandemic will increase inequality.
© Christopher Furlong/Getty ImagesOffshore wind generation could lead to a jobs bonanza as well as helping the environment, according to the campaign
Video: Keir Starmer challenges Boris Johnson on spending £130m on external PR consultants (Birmingham Mail)
Keir Starmer challenges Boris Johnson on spending £130m on external PR consultants
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The Build Back Better campaign's Fatima Ibrahim said: "With almost two million jobs at risk from the long-term economic shock of Covid-19, the Government needs to act now to deal with a crisis that is disproportionately affecting the poorest in our society.
"With government borrowing costs at record lows, this is an ideal opportunity for the Government to make serious, long-term investments in rebuilding the economy in the wake of Covid-19.
"The challenge in front of us is daunting, but the cost of inaction would be devastating.
"Scaling up investment in the green economy has the triple benefit of allowing us to tackle the looming unemployment crisis, while closing the widening inequality gap and putting our economy on a pathway to a green future.
"But doing so requires bold, brave and decisive action from the Government.
"Now is the time for them to match their green recovery rhetoric with action, and truly build back better."
© PABoris Johnson has spoken of
© REUTERSPresident-elect Joe Biden is expected to prioritise fighting climate change during his term in the Oval Office
Boris Johnson and US president-elect Joe Biden have repeatedly spoken of their hopes to "build back better" from the pandemic, with a focus on tackling climate change.
The Prime Minister is expected to unveil a 10-point plan outlining his aims for the UK's "green recovery" from the coronavirus crisis.
Unison union assistant general secretary Christina McAnea said: "As the UK rebuilds after the pandemic, the focus must be on a green economy.
© Daily RecordUnison's assistant general secretary Christina McAnea
"With proper investment and training, thousands of jobs can be created, businesses transformed and public services made stronger so everyone benefits from a sustainable future."