Government rhetoric on green jobs does not match the reality

Prospect has warned that the reality needs to match the rhetoric after prime minister Boris Johnson’s speech to the Conservative party conference.

Johnson promised that offshore wind energy would power every home by 2030.

Sue Ferns, Prospect senior deputy general secretary, said:

“The Prime Minister’s commitment to kickstarting the green jobs revolution is welcome but we have heard this rhetoric before and the reality has never quite matched up.

“Prospect fully supports the call for 40GW of offshore wind but if we are actually to achieve net zero this needs to be part of a whole-systems integrated approach. It must also be linked to a just transition strategy. An effective and inclusive skills strategy is key to achieving a green recovery.

“There is a long way to go. The number of green jobs is still below 2014 levels despite repeated promises from the government, partly due to particular supply chain jobs being created overseas.

“If the prime minister’s plan for wind is to have anywhere near the promised impact on jobs then it needs a credible plan for a  functional UK supply chain. Offshoring jobs as well as power would be a wasted opportunity.”