Rachael Maskell MP for York Central in the House of Commons
Rachael Maskell MP for York Central in the House of Commons

At Business Questions today, the MP for York Central called for vital green collar jobs in the bioscience sector to be brought forward in York to prevent unnecessary economic pain and mass unemployment. York is already at the heart of the bioscience sector with its world class research and innovation facilities, and could be at the heart of the global fight against climate meltdown. From advanced aggrotech research at FERA through to innovative work at the Biorenewable Development Centre at Dunnington. York could be at the heart of the Green New Deal, creating high quality green collar jobs while addressing the climate crisis.

In the light that York will be the second worst hit economy in the country with the worst case scenario seeing 28% unemployment according to the York and North Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership, Rachael Maskell wants to ensure that every step that can be taken to avoid unemployment is taken.

However the MP has learnt that the Government are tying up devolution deals and unpopular local government reorganisations with economic investment. The proposals currently under consultation are not only unpopular but also unworkable.

Rachael Maskell MP said, “If the Government are serious about protecting people from unemployment, they should be bringing forward economic investment to places like York to ensure that people are rapidly reskilled and re-orientated towards the new economy. If investment is slow to come forward, York could spiral into a deep depression. I will do everything I can to keep people in work. It goes to the heart of why I am a Labour politician and trade unionist.

“York cannot delay the need to diversify its economy, and must not focus on low skilled, low waged, insecure jobs ever again, but give people of this city are real future with high quality jobs, and support skills development to enable everyone to access these.

“Following my question to the Business, Energy and Clean Growth Minister, I have written to him to call for him to bring forward investment to save our city from the pain of large scale unemployment.”

You can read the full exchange in the House of Commons  here.

To read the full article in the York Press website click here.

Link to Instagram Link to Twitter Link to YouTube Link to Facebook Link to LinkedIn Link to Snapchat Close Fax Website Location Phone Email Calendar Building Search