London desperately needs more skilled workers if the Mayor is going to deliver the retrofit revolution he promised, says Zack Polanski AM.
The Mayor’s net zero carbon pathway [1] requires over 200,000 homes to be retrofitted each year. Delivering this depends upon a rapidly rising number of skilled workers able to insulate homes in London.
The Mayor today failed to provide numbers on how many people he is supporting into retrofitting or assurances that he will address this skills gap.
“It’s a chicken and egg situation. We do know that the Adult Education Budget sector wants to step in… What we need is some certainty there’ll be jobs to go to.”
Green Party London Assembly Member Zack Polanski said:
“What’s certain is that Londoners can’t afford their skyrocketing energy bills, and that the Mayor isn’t ready for the retrofit revolution he declared 18 months ago.
"Installers are telling me there’s a need for more trained people now, even at current levels of demand, and two thirds of young people say they want a green job.[2]
"We agree that sustained Government investment is essential. But the Mayor has a £320m training budget at his disposal. It’s baffling that he is unwilling to be more proactive in using it.” [3]
Notes to editors
Watch the full exchange here https://youtu.be/M2UgH0VnOEM
Vulnerable people will pay the price of this lack of readiness when it comes to insulting homes, because they will be footing energy bills and bearing the brunt of rising living costs.
[2] 3.7 million young people want a job in the #GreenGB economy https://www.fenews.co.uk/skills/re-article-for-consideration-on-poll-findings-37-million-young-people-would-prefer-a-job-in-the-green-economy-than-one-outside-it/
[3] Mayor announces £130m to support Londoners into good work in key sectors https://www.london.gov.uk/media-centre/mayors-press-release/Mayor%20announces%20%C2%A3130m%20to%20support%20Londoners%20into%20good%20work%20in%20key%20sectors