The group, representing construction workers from businesses across the UK, delivered a letter to number 10 Downing Street to highlight what they called an ‘urgent need for green collar work’.

Individuals dressed as a roofer, builder, electrician and architect all demonstrating the variety of skills available and ready for a green collar economic recovery – should the Government back the industry with crucial funding.

Protesters, who were all good natured, believe the entire country will benefit from a green budget.

In Europe, for example, where government market-building programmes are far advanced in comparison to the UK’s are already helping them out, said the group.

As part of the campaign ‘We Support Solar’, the construction workers also asked for a serious commitment to solar power in the budget, as solar photovoltaics in the UK has the potential to deliver over 100,000 British jobs by 2020.

They joined by the Jeremy Legget, executive chairman of the UK’s largest solar energy company Solarcentury, who delivered a letter of ‘urgent intervention’ from the UKI solar energy industry, specifically asking for ongoing support to allow the industry to grow to its full potential as elsewhere in Europe.

And for the government to re-allocate the remainder of its unspent Low Carbon Buildings Programme cash, £14 million, to satisfy the current demand for solar photovoltaics across the UK.

Mr Legget said: “We hope something will be done in the budget. We’re talking about a green recovery, with green jobs.

“In their own rhetoric the Government already say this, they just need to put the policies in place to actually execute it.”

Luke Walsh

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