Commenting on net-zero strategy published by the government today TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:
“The U.K. can be a world leader in creating good, green jobs. But this strategy is a huge let down.
“The government has failed to implement many of the main recommendations of its own green jobs taskforce - just two weeks before it hosts the UN climate change conference.
“That’s not the way to show global leadership - it’s self-sabotage.
“Today’s spending commitments will do little to address the yawning investment gap needed to get British industry ready for net-zero.
“Unless ministers do more to future-proof and decarbonise energy-intensive industries, hundreds of thousands of jobs in U.K. manufacturing and supply chains will be in jeopardy.
“We cannot let that happen.”
Commenting on the government’s heat and buildings strategy, Frances added:
“Every UK home should be warm in winter, and cool in summer, without costing a packet or harming the planet. An ambitious investment to decarbonise our homes must future-proof jobs and provide a sustainable future for gas workers.
“The new strategy takes some steps in the right direction. But only £1.75 billion has been allocated for retrofitting homes from now until 2025. At this rate, it would take more than 170 years to insulate all the UK’s homes.”
-Last month the TUC published analysis which showed that up to 660,000 jobs could be at risk if the UK fails to transition to net zero as fast as other nations.
-The union body says the UK is investing far less on green technology, infrastructure and transport that most other G7 nations.
-The TUC is calling on the government to action the recommendations of the Green Jobs Taskforce in full, and for an £85 billion green recovery package to create 1.24 million green jobs.
-Methodology on the time taken to insulate all of the homes in the UK:
- The Trades Union Congress (TUC) exists to make the working world a better place for everyone. We bring together the 5.5 million working people who make up our 48 member unions. We support unions to grow and thrive, and we stand up for everyone who works for a living.
Contacts:
TUC press office
media@tuc.org.uk
020 7467 1248
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