REC responds to government's ‘Green Day’

Responding to government plans to drive multi billion pound investment in energy revolutions outlined today, Kate Shoesmith, REC Deputy Chief Executive, said:

“The government needs to supercharge its delivery of support to business in its Net Zero Strategy, not least because our recent survey of employers found 65% reporting that a lack of government support is one of the greatest barriers to creating a ‘green industrial revolution’ in the UK. And worryingly, more than half (55%) of respondents also believed that the UK workforce lacks the ‘green skills’ needed to fulfil the ‘green job’ requirements.

“It is good to see the commitments on new skills bootcamps, something which some REC members are already involved with, and the promise of more granular green jobs data in the future is much needed. But it is frustrating to wait another year for a Net Zero Workforce Plan. A UK-wide body to ensure coherence on workforce planning for green jobs is essential.

“Securing our domestic energy supply is one thing, but we must have the right talent and the right skills. That focus is what will help the UK out of its cycle of low business investment, low productivity and stifled growth. We are already behind and at risk of losing out further to competitor countries who are pushing ahead with investment in green, on both the technological side but also on the people side.”

Ends

Notes to editors:

Overcoming shortages - How to create a sustainable labour market – July 2022. In this report, we show exactly how much damage could be done if we don’t step up. With a 10% surge in demand for staff across the economy, and the labour market restricted by shortages, we could see a 1.2% fall in expected GDP and productivity by 2027 – costing the economy anywhere between £30 billion and £39 billion every year. This figure is just short of the entire current defence budget, or two whole Elizabeth Lines.

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