Skills - Just Transition: Government Must Recognise Role of Trade Unions

The government launched a consultation on 5 March aimed at placing the North Sea—its communities, workers, businesses, and supply chains—at the center of Britain’s clean energy future. The initiative is designed to drive economic growth and implement Labour’s Plan for Change.

The consultation seeks to unlock the potential of the North Sea’s renewable energy industry while protecting existing jobs. The government acknowledges trade unions’ calls for a coordinated plan to safeguard good jobs, pay, and working conditions in the region and has committed to shaping this strategy alongside workers and unions.

Additionally, the consultation reinforces the government’s pledge not to issue new licenses for oil and gas field exploration in the UK, aligning with scientific recommendations to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees.

Sue Ferns, Senior Deputy General Secretary of Prospect, emphasized the importance of unionized employment in the transition to clean energy: “As the UK moves away from oil and gas production to meet Net Zero commitments, it is critical that new, good, unionized jobs in clean energy form the backbone of the government’s strategy.”

She added: “This consultation rightly acknowledges the essential role of jobs, skills, and communities in achieving a meaningful just transition. Delivering substantial new employment will also require reshoring supply chains for the renewables sector, which must be integrated into the government’s industrial strategy.”