Mind the Gap: STUC report shows Scotland ‘worst in UK’ for renewable jobs
A new report from Scotland’s largest trade union body has revealed the “unforgiveable” 4,000 total job decrease within Scotland’s renewable energy economy whilst companies raked in an increase of over £4 billion worth of turnover.
The report from the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC), based on the latest Office for National Statistics (ONS) data released earlier this month, shows there are now fewer jobs per £1million of turnover in the Low Carbon and Renewable Energy (LCRE) economy in Scotland than any previous year recorded. The figures further show that, by comparison, the number of jobs in relation to turnover has increased for the rest of the UK between 2021 and 2022, leaving Scotland flailing behind in job creation for offshore and onshore wind.
The news has been condemned by STUC General Secretary Roz Foyer, saying it is “a damning indictment of the lack of Scottish Government industrial strategy”.
Commenting, Roz Foyer:
“It is unforgiveable for the Scottish Government to stick with their passive, ‘winner takes all’ approach, allowing energy companies continue to rake in billions whilst jobs and workers suffer.
“Our new report: ‘Mind the Gap’ makes clear that a staggering 4,000 decrease in jobs whilst turnover reached £4 billion for companies within the LCRE is a damning indictment of the lack of Scottish Government industrial strategy.
“Despite the Scottish Government heralding their investment in onshore and offshore wind, we are now the poor relation of the UK for jobs and employment.
“Without a robust and comprehensive industrial strategy, one that places strict conditions on companies developing offshore and onshore wind to address the widening gap between turnover and employment, the Scottish Government is dooming it’s energy strategy to failure before it’s even published.
“Government ministers must use the power of our public sector to turbo-boost our green economy, utilising public ownership of projects at both local and national level, creating jobs and employment with good terms and conditions at its core. We cannot risk failing another generation and more communities with false energy promises. The Scottish Government would do well to heed the call of our recommendations. They must, without delay, prioritise public ownership of our renewable projects and create decent jobs for all throughout Scotland’s low-carbon economy. Workers deserve nothing less.
END
Notes to editors:
Release first appeared within Saturday’s edition of The Herald
RSSGeneral Secretary’s newspaper columns
We can’t always get what we want. But we can try hard to do so The Herald, 14th October
Good news on tips for workers The Herald, 7th October
Sir Keir needs to invest - not force through endless cuts The Herald, 30th September
We must remember the lessons of the Auchengeich disaster The Herald, 23rd September
Global corporations are destroying Scottish jobs - we must stop them The Herald, 16th September
Want to let Glasgow flourish? Help its children The Herald, 9th September
Scotland’s culture cannot be for rich people only The Herald, 26th August
The deeper issues that both our governments need to address The Herald, 19th August
Far-right hate mob exploited tragedy for their own ends The Herald, 12th August
Public services denigration and nefarious far-right risks The Herald, 5th August
Workers could do with a retirement like Joe Biden will have The Herald, 19th July
Pomp. Pageantry. Performance. Politics. The Herald, 22nd July
The kids are alright and we should listen to them The Herald, 15th July
Labour must tear up anti-union legislation, says STUC chief The Herald, 8th July
Politicans should hedge their bets on the workers The Herald, 1st July
Grangemouth is first test of Labour’s commitment to a just transition The Herald, 24th June
Politicians talk the talk but they don’t walk the walk over education The Herald, 17th June
Media must step up to the plate amid the rise of the far right The National, 15th June
Green Industrial Strategy could create tens of thousands of jobs The Herald, 27th May
Failure to devolve power casts a shadow over Holyrood The Herald, 20th May
Trade unions will work with FM to help end policy failure The National, 18th May
Workers have had enough of nice ideas from the SNP The Herald, 13th May
Scottish and UK governments must not let Grangemouth refinery die The Herald, 6th May
I predict new era of cooperation between Labour and SNP The Herald, 22nd April
Scotland’s support for Palestinians IS making a difference The National, 20th April
Strike action works and we make no apologies for it The Herald, 15th April
Sunak’s Freeports are called Greenports here but there’s no difference The Herald, 8th April
Mandelson has pushed Labour to ‘soften’ New Deal for Working People The Herald, 1st April
Miners’ strike taught us justice is not achieved through asking nicely The Herald, 18th March
Anas Sarwar’s Scottish Labour plans tax cuts for middle earners The Herald, 26th February
Highland workers need action, not more rhetoric The Herald, 2nd February
Grangemouth Refinery closure must be halted The Herald, 24th November
King’s Speech proved how badly we need an election The National 15th November
We march against fascism. Would Braverman want to ban us too? Herald 14th November
We should be furious that workers were thrown to wolves during Covid The National 27th October
SNP Can’t blame Labour deluge on the weather The National 14th October
Why we must fight for the future of further education Herald 13th October
The attack on Unison’s Johanna Baxter is nonsense - here’s why The National 29th September
Labour must commit to the devolution of employment law Herald 29th September
Why we must have a wholesale revolution on social care Herald 12th September
Roz Foyer: First Minister says he ‘isn’t afraid to pick a side’ – so do it The National 9th September
It’s time to pay women fairly. Let the bosses pay the bill The National 1st September
Politicians beware: the people are not prepared to lie down any longer Herald 18th August
Strikes in Scotland seem endless? Well the workers are fed up too The National 12th August
It’s time we took back control of our buses The National 4th August
Two-child benefit cap: Dismay over lack of vision from Labour Herald 21st July
When it comes to care, we must put people before profit Herald 12th July 2023
What can we say about Humza Yousaf’s record after 100 days in the job? The National 8th July 2023
Profiteering is driving up costs and they want you to take the blame. Herald 5th July 2023
We have a real chance to deliver fairness for workers. Let’s take it. Herald 10th June 2023
Never forget Pride is a protest as well as a celebration The National 10th June 2023
The Yes campaign may have stalled but people still want change Herald 6th June 2023
Forget the coronation, profit is king in the UK The National 13th May 2023
The First Minister must stay firm on free school meals Herald 8th May 2023
What are the politicians going to do to rescue our democracy? Herald 13th April 2023
First Minister Humza Yousaf must work with trade unions to succeed The National 8th April 2023
Next first minister must show same respect to unions The National 21st March
Government has turbocharged our resolve on workers’ rights The National 31st January
