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Government back-pedalling on energy and climate policy is costing the UK jobs and investment, warns TUC

date: Friday 25 September 2015
embargo: For immediate release

Commenting on the announcement today (Friday) that Drax is withdrawing as an investor in the White Rose CCS project in Yorkshire, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

“This is a very worrying development and shows how government back-pedalling on energy and climate policy is costing the UK jobs and investment. The current political uncertainty over our low-carbon future is bad for business, workers and Britain.

“We need proper leadership from ministers not lukewarm support for a greener industrial strategy. The UK has the companies, the scientific know-how, and potential to lead the world in low-carbon economics – but we need commitment from policymakers to make this happen.

“If the government fails to provide this, investors will continue to pull out funding and set up elsewhere. It is vital ministers now step in to protect the future of the White Rose project.

“Investing in low-carbon technologies is key to creating the high-skill jobs and apprenticeships we need to boost Britain’s poor productivity and catch up with other countries.”

The government has recently imposed a new levy on renewable energy companies, cut renewable energy subsidies for onshore wind, and scrapped the requirement on builders to develop zero-carbon homes.

NOTES TO EDITORS:
- All TUC press releases can be found at www.tuc.org.uk
- Follow the TUC on Twitter: @The_TUC and follow the TUC press team @tucnews

Contacts:
Media enquiries:
Alex Rossiter  T: 020 7467 1285  M: 07887 572130  E: arossiter@tuc.org.uk
Tim Nichols  T: 020 7467 1388  M: 07808 761844  E: tnichols@tuc.org.uk
Kay Atwal (Thu and Fri)  T: 020 7467 1385  M: 07941 547469  E: katwal@tuc.org.uk

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