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Friday, March 29, 2024

Truss Must Match Scottish Governments £500 Million Just Transition Fund

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Liz Truss has been urged to match the Scottish Government’s £500m Just Transition fund and secure thousands of jobs in the North East for years to come.

The Scottish Government announced the fund as part of the Bute House agreement and will invest in ensuring oil and gas workers can transition into jobs in Scotland’s renewable sector.

The fund opened for application earlier this year.

On launching the fund, the UK government was challenged to match that ambition to ensure Scotland’s oil and gas workers can be transitioned to renewable jobs for the future. They are yet to make the commitment.

Commenting, SNP MSP Gillian Martin said:

“During this Tory made cost of living crisis we must have serious plans to ensure we are not plunged into another energy crisis in the future.

“At the same time, we must make a commitment to our vital oil and gas workers that they will not be left behind in making the transition to renewables.

“Whilst families need meaningful support now to reduce bills, the UK government must make a commitment to renewables to keep bills low in the future.

“The SNP Scottish Government has made that commitment with the £500m Just Transition Fund, it is time for the UK government to step up to the mark and ensure that we can build on the fantastic renewables technology that is already being developed and that we do not waste the talented workforce already in our energy sector.

“Liz Truss has failed to make a commitment to renewables, which is extremely reckless, not only will renewables forge a path for our energy future but will also play a key part in achieving our world-leading net zero targets.

“The UK Tory government continues to fail Scotland and particularly the north east in its just transition.

“It failed to invest in carbon capture last year, a promise the Tories have been breaking time and again since 2014.

“Scotland is already paying the price for Westminster control as our energy sector has been squandered over the years.

“If the UK government cannot protect the future of our energy and renewables sector then it will show once again that the only way to build a fairer, greener Scotland is with independence.”

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