Sunak plan "not what a green recovery looks like" - join IER experts to discuss opportunities missed
A panel of experts will discuss how we could rebuild our economy responsibly at a free event this Tuesday.
News brief - 10/07/20 View this email in your browser
Sunak plan "not what a green recovery looks like" - join IER experts to discuss opportunities missed
Chancellor Rishi Sunak insisted that this week's mini-budget is a "green" initiative, but his plans have received strong criticism from campaigners.
The majority of Sunak's environmentally friendly policies revolved around insulating homes - a policy programme that is already facing legal action.
Campaign group Plan B described the Chancellor's proposals as "clearly unlawful" as they fall short of the UK's legal obligations under the Paris climate change agreement.
Sunak promised £3bn on green initiatives, such as grants to help householders cover the cost of insulation, but Plan B pointed out that this amount pales in comparison to the billions provided to carmakers and airlines during the Coronavirus response.
"The proposed approach is ... no more than a fig leaf for the government's new deal for polluters," the group wrote in a letter to ministers seen by the Guardian. The correspondence was the first step towards taking legal action against the government.
Shadow Minister for International Development, Anna McMorrin, agreed. She said: "This is not what a green recovery looks like. The Chancellor touts a green recovery in one breath but invests in high-carbon industry both at home and overseas in another, pumping billions into fossil-fuel projects abroad."
The Chancellor's plan for jobs has also been criticised, with the Institute for Fiscal Studies warning that much of his £30bn statement was poorly targeted.
So what would a strong green recovery look like? On Tuesday, we convene two leading experts to discuss the role of trade unions in ensuring that we build back better. Ann Pettifor, economist and author of The Case for the Green New Deal, will be joined by Unite's Assistant General Secretary, Steve Turner at this free event.
The seventh in our Covid-19 webinar series, Transitioning to a sustainable and green economy, will be held between 7pm and 8pm on the Zoom platform. Registration is required.
Register now
TUC publishes ‘better recovery’ plan to prevent jobs crisis
Union leaders have warned that without urgent action, unemployment could hit the levels of 1980s mass joblessness.
Read the full report
IER and Covid-19
Due to the rapid spread of the coronavirus disease and the need to keep our staff, supporters and speakers safe, IER have decided to postpone all forthcoming IER events and meetings until further notice, including both Health and safety at work after Brexit conferences in Liverpool and London, the IER Executive Committee, IER AGM and our joint event with the Campaign for Trade Union Freedom on 6th June.
IER staff will continue to work, but remotely from home. We will answer emails, produce publications and circulate our weekly News Briefs and other on-line information. However, phone calls to the office or mail sent by post will not receive immediate attention.
We apologise for any inconvenience caused and wish you all best wishes during this difficult time.
Copyright © 2020 Institute of Employment Rights, All rights reserved.
You are receiving this email because you opted in at our website or signed up at an IER event.
Our mailing address is:
Institute of Employment Rights4th Floor Jack Jones House1 IslingtonLiverpool, Merseyside L3 8EG United Kingdom
Add us to your address book
Unsubscribe by following the instructions at the bottom of this email or contacting sarah at ier.org.uk
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <https://mailman.gn.apc.org/pipermail/ier-elist/attachments/20200710/ec27ab1b/attachment-0001.html>