Labour is pledging to create thousands of jobs in Cornwall over the next decade by fitting homes with energy-saving measures to reduce bills and tackle the climate crisis.

But the Green Party says that, while it welcomes the proposal, it does not go far enough in lowering emissions across the UK.

The plan would see most of Cornwall’s 277,370 homes fitted with improvements such as loft insulation, double glazing, and renewable and low-carbon technologies by 2030.

It would create 2,524 construction industry jobs, the Labour Party claims, like insulation specialists, plasterers, carpenters, electricians, gas engineers, builders and window fitters.

In addition, Labour estimates a further 1,995 jobs would be generated in the wider economy, such as for those providing materials and support.

The party says the retrofitting would be the largest upgrade of UK housing since major reconstruction in the post-war years.

Across the UK, the scheme – dubbed Warmer Homes for All – is planned to create 250,000 skilled jobs in the construction industry, and a further 200,000 indirect jobs.

It would also cut carbon emissions by 10 per cent – equivalent to taking 70 per cent of cars off UK roads – and reduce the energy bills of low-income households by an average of £417 a year, the party claims.

Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn warned that if “we don’t radically change course, we face the threat of a hostile and dying planet”.

He added: “We will tackle the climate crisis by putting wealth in the hands of the many not the few, with lower bills, more good jobs and better health.

“By investing on a massive scale, we will usher in a green industrial revolution with good, clean jobs that will transform towns, cities and communities that have been held back and neglected for decades.”

A Labour government would put £60 billion towards the upgrades, with low-income households receiving grants for the work, and then paying them off in part through a portion of their bill savings.

Wealthier households would get no-interest loans, and also pay them back through money they saved on bills.

The overall cost of the project is estimated at £250 billion.

But Green Party co-leader Jonathan Bartley said that, while the plans are a positive first step, they would still fall short.

“Housing is one of the biggest sectors that needs urgent decarbonisation if we are going to get to net zero emissions by 2030,” he added.

“In addition to insulating every home, the Green Party would invest more to improve 1 million properties a year so that they all reach the highest standards of energy efficiency with super-insulation, replacing gas boilers with renewable alternatives and creating many more jobs.”

Lesley Rudd, chief executive of industry body the Sustainable Energy Association, said she welcomed Labour’s commitment.

She added: “Our buildings are a significant contributor to carbon emissions and we need urgent action to upgrade them if we are to reach our net zero emissions target.

“This work needs doing right across the country in every city, town and village and it will need a workforce right across the country.”