Campaigners form ‘Green New Deal’ jobs queue at Calder Valley MP’s office

Green New Deal UK estimates more than 3,000 jobs could be created in sectors like solar energy, social care and improving energy efficiency in homes, all of which it says are essential to the UK meeting its national and international climate targets, replacing 2,919 which are likely to be lost because of the pandemic.

In Calderdale’s Parliamentary constituencies, Calder Valley ward could see more than 1,900 jobs, 791 green infrastructure jobs, 65 in digital infrastructure, 139 in research and development, and 982 in care roles, which might replace an estimated 1,735 jobs lost because of the COVID-19 pandemic.

In Halifax ward the campaigners believe Halifax ward could see more than 1,200 jobs, 149 green infrastructure jobs, 65 in digital infrastructure, 70 in research and development, and 971 in care roles, which might replace an estimated 1,184 jobs which might be lost, claims the group.

Green New Deal say creating these would carry a cost, nationally, estimating a total cost to the exchequer of £68 billion over two years, creating more than 1.2 million jobs and are urging the Government to invest in these sectors.

Sources for the methodology behind the figures includes studies by the TUC and research by The RSA (Royal Society for Arts, Manufactures and Commerce).

Recently as part of a national wave of actions, some Calderdale residents formed a “jobs queue” outside Calder Valley Conservative MP Craig Whitaker’s Brighouse office, calling on him to support Government investment in “good, green jobs for Calderdale.”

Fatima Ibrahim, spokesperson from Green New Deal UK, said: “There’s an unemployment crisis and a climate crisis and a Green New Deal can create thousands of good, green jobs in every constituency – starting with those that need it most.

“Our research shows that you can tackle unemployment and the climate crisis at the same time.

“We know that we can’t afford not to do this,” she said.

Mr Whittaker’s office has been contacted for comment on the protest but has not responded to date.