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Warning 35,000 manufacturing jobs in South West at risk if UK doesn’t speed up transition to net zero
There is a risk of “industrial decline and haemorrhaging jobs abroad” if the UK does not speed up its transition to net zero, the Trades Union Congress (TUC) has warned.
New analysis published by the union indicates up to 35,000 manufacturing jobs in the South West could be lost unless urgent steps are taken to help traditional industries transition to new forms of production.
The union warns the sectors most at risk in the region include aerospace, automotive, chemicals and shipbuilding.
It argues the UK should be following the example of president Biden’s Inflation Reduction Act, which has provided much-needed investment to decarbonise traditional industries and safeguard and create good quality, union jobs.
The TUC warns the aerospace industry is one of the sectors at risk if the UK doesn’t speed up the transition to net zero – photo: Aerospace Bristol
TUC bosses go on to state that the UK does not currently have a climate-focussed industrial strategy, despite the Conservatives being in power for 13 years. They argue that recent government-funded schemes for industry and infrastructure “come without conditions for creating good jobs”.
Paul Novak, general secretary of TUC, said: “If we move quickly, we can protect and create thousands of good jobs across the South West. But if we don’t, we risk industrial decline and haemorrhaging jobs abroad.
“We must act now to safeguard our manufacturing sector. Then today’s workers will know that their jobs are safe and the future is bright with decent jobs for their children too.”
The warning comes as Nowak visited the nuclear plant construction site at Hinkley Point C in Bridgwater.
TUC has called for an urgent cross-party consensus to lay out a US-style clean industrial strategy for the UK. The strategy will include how the action will shore up manufacturing and accelerate climate action for industries in the South West.
The union says an active industrial strategy could:
- Require companies that receive net zero funding to engage with unions and pay and treat workers fairly.
- Deliver reforms to improve workers’ rights and corporate governance.
- Encourage worker input at board level in every workplace.
- Resource public institutions robustly so they can play their part.
- Ensure companies consult with their workforce and unions about plans to transition to net zero.
The US Act has resulted in companies pledging to build new clean manufacturing facilities and an estimated $900bn in extra investment from the private sector. Biden’s plan is also boosting pay and conditions with the US government setting terms that include fair pay and good union jobs.
The EU is also developing similar plans, boosting homegrown clean industries including batteries, critical minerals, and renewable power.
Main photo: TUC
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