A powerful lobby group has called for disabled workers to be employed to help build HS2.

The High Speed Rail Industry Leaders Group has also argued that the long-term unemployed and former prisoners should be conscripted to construct the new network.

According to the Independent, the company has cited the building of the Rhine-Rhone line in France as an example the UK and HS2 bosses should follow. Nearly 1,000 socially disadvantaged people were used in this project, around 12 per cent of the total workforce. These included the supposedly unemployable and those with some form of criminal record. 

Jim Steer, chief executive at the group, stated: "In building HS2, we have got to look to a better all-round policy, not just economic but socially as well."

The high-speed rail policy is currently being debated by Parliament and ministers are hoping for a vote to be held to add it onto the statute book before the next election.