Campaigners say the Government needs to restore public confidence in the levelling-up agenda - by committing to the eastern leg of HS2.
The call follows new research by campaign group HS2 East which revealed just 20 per cent of surveyed people from the Midlands and the North are confident that the Government is doing enough to level-up the 海角视频 economy - and balance out the inequalities between London and the rest of the 海角视频.
The poll of more than 2,000 people also revealed concerns about the longer-term impacts of Covid-19 and the associated strain it has put on public finances.
Data showed that 59 per cent of people are worried the pandemic will widen social and economic inequalities, while 47 per cent of those questioned thought it may stop Government investing in infrastructure, welfare and affordable housing.
Seven out of 10 people thought the short-term pressures of Covid-19 had shifted focus away from climate change and stalled efforts to decarbonise.
Now campaigners are calling on the Government to commit to delivering the eastern leg of high speed 2 - which will run from Birmingham to Leeds via north Leicestershire and Derbyshire.
Darren Henry, MP for Broxtowe and chairman of the Midlands Engine All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG), said: "It is clear that the public is concerned about the longer-term effects of Covid-19, and the impact it will have on communities like Broxtowe that have historically been underfunded.
"Now is the time for the Government to restore public confidence in levelling up by committing to the Eastern Leg of HS2.
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"In the East Midlands, the new hub station at Toton will create thousands of highly-skilled jobs, is sparking a huge improvement in local transport links and will establish the region as a centre for innovation and renewable energy generation. It will provide green, carbon-neutral travel for the next century.
"It must go ahead, as the Prime Minister and numerous other cabinet ministers have repeatedly promised."
A recent report showed that communities surrounding the eastern leg suffered from lower productivity, received a lower transport spend and were home to a greater number of social mobility cold spots than their counterparts on HS2's western leg - as well as compared to the 海角视频 average.
Crucially, these social mobility cold spots - where educational and employment outcomes were poor - were highly correlated with areas experiencing transport poverty.
Lord McLoughlin, former Transport Secretary, said: "It is crystal clear that the eastern leg of HS2 must go ahead in full. Any further delay will undermine the economic future of the East Midlands, at a time when we need to be decisive and boost business confidence.
"In particular, the new HS2 East Midlands Hub at Toton is a hugely exciting opportunity for development, and one that we cannot pass by. If Government is going to successfully level up, it must give this project the green light."
Business leaders in the West Midlands are backing the calls.
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The leader of Birmingham City Council, councillor Ian Ward, said: "
The Midlands is home to over 12 million people; it's time Westminster stood up and took notice of our region, its communities and their huge potential.
"The public are sick of empty promises, we need investment now if we're to decarbonise our economy, recover from Covid-19 and build a transport network fit for the 21st century.
"Despite seemingly committing to HS2 in February, we're still waiting for Government to confirm its plans for Phase 2b of the project, which will connect Birmingham to Manchester and Leeds. These needless delays are scaring off investors and undermining confidence at a time when we need it most – we need commitment now."
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Paul Faulkner, chief executive of the Greater Birmingham Chamber of Commerce, added: "
Businesses in the West Midlands are unanimous, we need investment from Government to create jobs, promote trade and spark the regeneration needed to pull us out of this recession.
"HS2 will support thousands of apprenticeships, create contract opportunities for local businesses and provide a truly carbon-neutral form of transport for travellers. Now is not the time for half measures, we need it to be delivered in full, all the way to the East Midlands and Leeds."
The National Infrastructure Commission is due to imminently publish its Rail Needs Assessment, a series of recommendations to Government regarding how it can optimise the delivery of HS2's eastern leg.
While the Government's Integrated Rail Plan, setting out how the Eastern Leg will be delivered, is due out before the end of the year.