Green Recovery

July 30th 2020

Green Recovery

July 30th 2020

STUC welcomes short-term recommendations in reports of the Just Transition Commission and Infrastructure Commission but calls for more Government ambition in the face of unprecedented crisis and the need for a just green recovery

• Welcomes Just Transition Commission call for continuing Government intervention to support public transport and calls for immediate implementation of Just Transition Commission recommendation on green buses for COP which could save jobs at Alexander Dennis.

• Voices support for a large-scale decommissioning programme to drive critical activity in the North Sea, public investment in facilitating infrastructure such as ports and harbours and direct investment in manufacturing facilities to build competitiveness in off-shore wind components.

• Welcomes the Infrastructure Commission recommendation that Scottish Government should prioritise all new infrastructure investment decisions based on their contribution to the delivery of an inclusive net zero carbon economy.

• Very disappointed that Infrastructure Commission rejected the STUC proposal for the creation of a national infrastructure company.

STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer said:

“The STUC has representation on both the Just Transition Commission and Infrastructure Commission and we welcome the commitment in both reports to Fair Work and the creation of good quality jobs.

“The Scottish Government should act immediately on the JTC recommendation to purchase a fleet of Green Buses for COP 2021. This would send out a strong public message about the importance of investment in public transport and could potentially avert the crisis.

“The JTC has concentrated on immediate measures to alleviate the crisis which are consistent with the journey to net zero and community justice. However, governments are also going to have to face up to the need for a new industrial strategy including massive investment in public transport, clean construction and retrofit, and the renewables energy supply chain. That is why now is the right time to create a national infrastructure company to drive this work forward.”

ENDS

For further details: Dave Moxham 07891 026870