Recommendations & Conclusions
11 items
12
Recommendation
Third Report - Green Jobs
Accepted
We recommend that the Government’s own analysis into the Green Homes Grant voucher scheme be completed during 2021 to ensure lessons learned inform future schemes’ designs, and include a plan for industry engagement, to rebuild trust.
Government response AI summary
The government confirms an independent evaluation of the Green Homes Grant scheme is underway, with the first interim report due in early 2022, and states that findings are being used internally to inform future schemes and that industry engagement is being established via the Net …
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14
Recommendation
Third Report - Green Jobs
Accepted
In line with our recommendation for a national retrofit strategy in our Energy Efficiency in Existing Homes report, by the end of 2021 the Government needs to set out a programme to encourage the development of relevant skills across the construction trade, including small and medium-sized enterprises, to stimulate development …
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In line with our recommendation for a national retrofit strategy in our Energy Efficiency in Existing Homes report, by the end of 2021 the Government needs to set out a programme to encourage the development of relevant skills across the construction trade, including small and medium-sized enterprises, to stimulate development of skilled trades to increase the capacity markedly. (Paragraph 67) Green Jobs 63 Long-term environmental goals and a just transition to net zero
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Government response AI summary
The government acknowledges the need for a skilled supply chain for building retrofit and outlines existing and ongoing initiatives, including a £6.9m skills competition, Skills Bootcamps, an Engineering for construction T Level, and improvements to apprenticeship levy transfers, to develop relevant skills in the construction …
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15
Conclusion
Third Report - Green Jobs
Accepted
We have heard concerns that skills shortages will affect delivery of the Government’s long-term environmental goals, as set out in the 25 Year Environment Plan. It is welcome that Defra are currently working on a Skills Gap Plan to identify where there are skills shortages and collaborating with other departments …
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We have heard concerns that skills shortages will affect delivery of the Government’s long-term environmental goals, as set out in the 25 Year Environment Plan. It is welcome that Defra are currently working on a Skills Gap Plan to identify where there are skills shortages and collaborating with other departments on this.
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Government response AI summary
The government confirms it is taking a strategic approach to understanding skills needed for the 25 Year Environment Plan as part of its statutory review, due by January 2023. Defra is actively working with DfE and other departments to identify and address skills gaps, and …
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17
Recommendation
Third Report - Green Jobs
Accepted
We welcome the Government’s commitment to ensuring regions are not left behind in the transition. To ensure this is delivered, it is vital that the Government carry out some planning for a just transition and how the Government intends to support it. This must include plans for public engagement to …
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We welcome the Government’s commitment to ensuring regions are not left behind in the transition. To ensure this is delivered, it is vital that the Government carry out some planning for a just transition and how the Government intends to support it. This must include plans for public engagement to maintain public support for net zero, provision for wider support such as pensions and employability support, and ensuring local skills provision and (re-)training opportunities.
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Government response AI summary
The government stated its Net Zero Strategy outlines measures for a just transition, citing the Green Jobs Taskforce's regional assessment and Local Skills Improvement Plans. DWP is enhancing support for those at risk of redundancy into green jobs, and a cross-cutting delivery group has been …
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19
Conclusion
Third Report - Green Jobs
Accepted
Some regions will be particularly affected by the transition. While the Government cannot actively manage the whole transition, it is important to assess where impacts will fall to ensure there are policies for support and replacement green jobs in place, in line with the Government’s levelling up ambitions.
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Some regions will be particularly affected by the transition. While the Government cannot actively manage the whole transition, it is important to assess where impacts will fall to ensure there are policies for support and replacement green jobs in place, in line with the Government’s levelling up ambitions.
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Government response AI summary
The government outlines existing and planned initiatives to address regional impacts of the net zero transition, including the Green Jobs Taskforce report which assessed regional effects, the introduction of Local Skills Improvement Plans, DWP considerations for supporting at-risk workers, and the establishment of a cross-cutting …
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22
Recommendation
Third Report - Green Jobs
Accepted
The Government needs to set out in its just transition plan how it will address this risk. During 2021, the Government should conduct analysis into how a UK CBAM could comply with international trade obligations. (Paragraph 91) Education and skills pipeline
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The Government needs to set out in its just transition plan how it will address this risk. During 2021, the Government should conduct analysis into how a UK CBAM could comply with international trade obligations. (Paragraph 91) Education and skills pipeline
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Government response AI summary
The government did not commit to new analysis on CBAM compliance or a new just transition plan, instead stating it is already mitigating carbon leakage risks through existing ETS free allowances and compensation, and is further developing policy, including reviewing free allocations and referencing published …
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23
Conclusion
Third Report - Green Jobs
Accepted
In school, education on climate change and environmental sustainability is limited to a few subjects. It is important that it is included across all courses to give all students a basic grounding in environmental issues and to show how their subjects can be useful in tacking environmental challenges, whatever sector …
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In school, education on climate change and environmental sustainability is limited to a few subjects. It is important that it is included across all courses to give all students a basic grounding in environmental issues and to show how their subjects can be useful in tacking environmental challenges, whatever sector they go on to work in. This will ensure the future UK workforce is climate and sustainability literate. A greater awareness of environment and sustainability across the population could lead to increased diversity of people entering green sectors, contributing to the Government’s ambitions for a more diverse and inclusive green workforce.
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Government response AI summary
The government states that climate change and environment topics are already included in citizenship, science, and geography curricula, with flexibility for schools. It also highlights a draft Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy to improve climate education, including support for teachers and a Model Curriculum for …
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25
Recommendation
Third Report - Green Jobs
Accepted
Our previous report on biodiversity in the UK identified that education could provide a crucial lever to address inequalities in access to nature. The Government’s Children and Nature Programme went some way in increasing access opportunities for schoolchildren, however the programme is due to end in March 2022. We consider …
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Our previous report on biodiversity in the UK identified that education could provide a crucial lever to address inequalities in access to nature. The Government’s Children and Nature Programme went some way in increasing access opportunities for schoolchildren, however the programme is due to end in March 2022. We consider this misses an opportunity to build on the successes of the programme through expanding the programme, to further widen access to nature in education and contribute to building a future green skills pipeline by attracting more young people into green careers.
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Government response AI summary
The government committed to new initiatives to continue encouraging children's engagement with nature after the Children and Nature Programme closes, including the Climate Leaders Award, a National Education Nature Park, and the £2.5 million ‘Generation Green’ project. Learning from the previous programme will inform these …
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31
Conclusion
Third Report - Green Jobs
Accepted
Without closely monitoring current and future skills needs and shortages across the net zero transition, there is a risk that today’s courses and training are not addressing the demands of the future. This monitoring needs to be ongoing, to respond to changes in the economy over the course of the …
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Without closely monitoring current and future skills needs and shortages across the net zero transition, there is a risk that today’s courses and training are not addressing the demands of the future. This monitoring needs to be ongoing, to respond to changes in the economy over the course of the transition. We are particularly concerned that, without such monitoring and planning, the future demand for technical and practical green skills might exceed the available training provision in further education.
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Government response AI summary
The government explains that the existing Skills and Productivity Board is responsible for providing insights on skills policy, considering net zero targets, and continuously monitoring work on green skills. This addresses the committee's concern about the need for ongoing monitoring of future skills needs by …
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32
Recommendation
Third Report - Green Jobs
Accepted
We recommend that by the end of 2021, the Skills and Productivity Board, or similar body, is tasked with ongoing monitoring of skills needs, with regular periodic reviews, to ensure forward-looking and responsive skills planning which encompasses the needs of the economy in reaching the Government’s net zero and long-term …
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We recommend that by the end of 2021, the Skills and Productivity Board, or similar body, is tasked with ongoing monitoring of skills needs, with regular periodic reviews, to ensure forward-looking and responsive skills planning which encompasses the needs of the economy in reaching the Government’s net zero and long-term environmental ambitions. (Paragraph 132) Diversity, inclusion and access to green jobs
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Government response AI summary
The government stated that the Skills and Productivity Board's existing role already includes considering net zero targets and monitoring work on green skills as part of its focus on longer-term strategic issues affecting productivity.
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33
Recommendation
Third Report - Green Jobs
Accepted
To be able to monitor whether its ambitions to increase diversity and inclusion in the green workforce are being achieved, the Government needs to articulate these ambitions in a measurable way and have a metric for measuring diversity and inclusion in the green workforce.
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To be able to monitor whether its ambitions to increase diversity and inclusion in the green workforce are being achieved, the Government needs to articulate these ambitions in a measurable way and have a metric for measuring diversity and inclusion in the green workforce.
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Government response AI summary
The government committed to developing evidence and stated the Office for National Statistics will refine the measurement of the green economy, including diversity, as the UK transitions to net zero. They will also continue to engage with industry and employers to raise awareness and inspire …
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