Offshore wind companies must deliver good and well-paid jobs if they want government funding

Government funding for investment in offshore wind supply chains must only go to companies that recognise trade unions and deliver good, well-paid jobs, says Prospect.

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer announced today that £300m of funding will be brought forward for Great British Energy to invest in offshore wind supply chains.

The government’s announcement comes as it co-hosts the Future of Energy Security summit in London with the International Energy Association on 24-25 April.

Mike Clancy, General Secretary of Prospect, responding to the announcement, said:

“Investment in the domestic offshore wind supply chain is welcome; however, the government must ensure that eligibility for this funding only goes to companies that recognise trade unions and deliver good, well-paid jobs.

“We also need to address the skills gap to ensure British workers are able to take full advantage of the opportunities this provides. That means a step change in skills training, provided for in the spending review, to radically scale up the number of workers with the STEM skills industry needs, and more support for workers transitioning from carbon-intensive roles. Otherwise, skills shortages will mean communities fail to get the benefit.

“The government has a lot of leverage at its disposal and it must start using it if it is serious about ensuring that the clean energy transition creates good jobs here in Britain.”