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Wind energy boom ‘passing UK workforce and economy by,’ unions warn

BRITAIN’S booming offshore wind energy industry has failed to benefit British workers as cost-cutting contracts go to countries and regions abroad, unions said today.

General union GMB and the Rail, Maritime and Transport (RMT) union warned that British taxpayers’ cash is being used to subsidise overseas companies which use cheaper labour to boost profits.

They were responding to the launch today of a £100 million, 10-year programme to support British businesses capitalising on the growth in offshore wind energy worldwide.

But GMB national officer Justin Bowden said any potential benefits from the boom had “passed the UK workforce and economy by.”

He said: “Look no further than the yards lying idle in Fife as contracts go offshore to Spain, Indonesia and the Middle East.

“Securing decent jobs in the renewables industry and its supply chain, and fairness in how decarbonisation costs are met, is now paramount.”

GMB called on the government to introduce a programme of action including registration of all offshore wind energy firms that receive public subsidies. The proposed register would disallow companies registered in offshore tax havens from receiving public funds.

RMT general secretary Mick Cash said: “It’s essential that the opportunities presented by the growth in offshore renewable energy are not squandered, and result in secure and properly paid jobs with the union recognised for bargaining purposes.

“RMT does not want to see the workers delivering the offshore wind energy agenda at the bottom of the pile. This expanding sector should be putting them first.”

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