IN HIS latest Correspondent column, Andrew Gwynne MP looks towards a brighter, greener future for the borough.
WE LIVE in a world that is ever-changing. It’s surreal to think how different life is now compared to a decade ago, let alone a century ago.
In no sector is this truer than in business and employment. Over the last ten years not only have we seen huge developments in tech – from artificial intelligence to unprecedented digital advancement – but we’ve also witnessed profound changes in working practises.
Some of these changes have been positive, others have been more challenging. Insecure working practises have become all too common, with staff having to put up with immoral ‘fire and rehire’ tactics, and others being effectively shut out of exciting employment because of a lack of access to skills training.
But there is reason to be optimistic, too. The need to embrace green technology is a fantastic opportunity to spread prosperity right across communities like Tameside.
I’m proud that Labour has committed to invest heavily in skills and jobs for the future.
We know that there is a practical and moral imperative to relentlessly drive towards net zero. It’s good for the environment, but also good for our energy resilience.
If we can create clean energy, here in the UK, we will never again find ourselves beholden to the whims of Putin’s Russia.
Not only that, we can create hundreds of thousands of jobs in net-zero technology, infrastructure development and clean energy in the process.
We can give adults the skills they need to embrace a changing world.
Just as the Industrial Revolution changed the face of the UK, our plan would build a Britain fit for the future, with prosperity and fairness right at the heart of it.
I’m the first to admit that this sounds optimistic. After all, who can blame people for feeling a bit cynical in the current mess we find ourselves in?
But what I’ve described is possible with political will. For too long, I’ve felt like the people I represent in Tameside aren’t getting the support they need to thrive in employment. That must, and can, change.
Good government means adapting to the times. Lots of businesses already recognise the need for decarbonisation and the utilisation of new technology.
With the right investment, we can turbocharge this work, and build communities that are happier, healthier and wealthier.