The industry’s skills shortage means the UK could be unable to achieve a zero-carbon economy by 2050, a group of industry leaders has warned.
The Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) think tank has warned that policies are needed to address the 750,000 construction workers that could retire or be on the verge of retiring over the next 15 years.
The letter, signed by industry leaders on the back of IPPR’s research, has called for increased funding and further education along with expanding apprenticeships. The recommendations also ask the government to legislate to improve pay and conditions for workers, to make construction careers more attractive to jobseekers, and create a new National Infrastructure and Construction Skills Demand pipeline.
ON the eve of the Second World War a Labour MP, Arthur Greenwood, stepped up to the despatch box in the House of Commons. He appeared unnerved by a shout of encouragement from the Conservative side of the House. The Tory backbencher Leo Amery was sickened by the appeasement policy pursued by his own prime minister Neville Chamberlain. Amery yelled out: “Speak for England, Arthur!” and Arthur did. He argued for the necessity of war with Hitler, helping pull the country together. But when Arthur spoke for England, he also spoke for the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the British Empire and its dominions. But who speaks now? When the prime minister or leader of the opposition rises in the House of Commons, do they really speak for the United Kingdom of the 21st century? What does that even mean?
| UPDATED: 17:28, Thu, Feb 18, 2021
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The roll-out has fuelled hopes of a faster-than-expected economic recovery which has been reflected in a 0.3 percent rise in sterling to 86.55p against the euro, its highest since March 6 2020. The pound has now risen more than 2 percent against the euro this month as the UK s aggressive vaccine strategy lifted expectations its economy will bounce back much more quickly than those of other European nations.