Ministers must get industry and unions around the table to find a way through this energy crisis

Commenting on the current gas shortages and the implications for workers and industry, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

“The government must not bury its head in the sand. We can’t afford for factories to grind to a halt, risking jobs and livelihoods across Britain. 

“Our energy and manufacturing sectors provide 800,000 direct, skilled jobs, with hundreds of thousands more in related industries.

“Rather than rowing with each other, ministers should get industry leaders and unions around the table to find a way through this crisis.

“This should include looking at what financial support is needed in the weeks and months ahead to stop a wave of shutdowns.

“Companies getting financial support must set out their plans to invest to protect jobs in high carbon industries as we move to net zero.

“And ministers must support workers too: if companies shutdown temporarily, ministers should reboot furlough into a permanent short-time working scheme to protect jobs.”