News Extra ECA welcomes new Government
Leading electrotechnical and engineering services body ECA congratulated Keir Starmer and his team on their electoral success in a statement published on 5 July.
“E
CA looks forward to building on existing relationships with elected representatives and collaborating with the new government to achieve the fi ve missions set out in the Labour Manifesto. “Electricians will play a pivotal role in delivering the key missions – from economic growth to clean energy. ECA will therefore be seeking early conversations with Ministers as the government takes shape. “Electrifi cation is a key element of decarbonising the UK economy, and a skilled electrical workforce is essential to the safe and successful roll-out, integration and maintenance of low-carbon technologies – from heat pumps to solar panels and EV charging infrastructure. “The shortage of skilled electricians is a fundamental obstacle to achieving net zero. The current state of the electrical skills system
demands early attention. It takes four years to develop the core competencies needed for electrical work and installation. We urge the new government to take this fi rst step on the path to achieving the 2030 target set out in the manifesto.
“To stimulate economic growth, we must address fundamental fl aws in the procurement system. Most of the construction industry is united behind calling for protective legislation to stop the abuse of retentions and improve payment performance.
“Small businesses (SMEs) make up the majority of fi rms in the electrotechnical sector. They are essential to delivery of good jobs and opportunities for young people in local communities. SMEs need better support to deliver apprenticeships. This includes removing unnecessary red tape and increasing fi nancial
incentives. “ECA calls on the new government to place
qualifi ed electricians at the heart of net-zero transition. To bring in protective legislation to combat poor payment practices. To address the challenges which are preventing an increase in people qualifying as electricians, and establish a stronger skills pipeline to support learners into electrical employment.
“ECA wishes the new administration every success in achieving its ambitious programme and looks forward to working constructively with the Labour Government!”
NAPIT Responds to the General Election
In a statement shared on 10 July, Frank Bertie, managing director at NAPIT, welcomed the positive approach of the new Labour Government’s willingness to engage with industry to bring forward plans to meet the Net Zero targets.
“I
n his fi rst speech outside No. 10, it was encouraging to see new Prime Minister Keir Starmer talk about ‘the opportunity of clean British power, cutting your energy bills for good’.
“Additionally, it was promising to see new Chancellor Rachel Reeves outline plans to ‘get Britain building again,’ including new housing targets and lifting the ban on the on-shore wind. NAPIT welcomes these changes to the planning system, as well as new housing and on-shore wind. These changes will provide our members with increased opportunities and confi dence with planning their future work. “The renewed vigour in setting these ambitions can only stimulate confi dence in the newbuild housing sector and for retrofi t renewable installations in the existing UK housing stock. The commercial sector equally needs a similar intervention to provide confi dence to allow planning, training and increases upskilling the workforce.
16 | electrical wholesalerAugust 2024 “The Net Zero policy is essential for tackling
the eff ects of climate change, necessary for the security of energy supplies and for the opportunities for the renewable led skilled workforce to develop and grow.
“As promised in Labour’s election manifesto, the new government plans to build 1.5 million homes over the next fi ve years. This will create more work opportunities for our members, whether it is in electrical work, heating, plumbing, the installation of microgeneration technologies, or energy effi ciency measures. “Clean, aff ordable and secure energy can only be a positive for the planet, households, businesses and the economy with the opportunity for highly skilled jobs and careers as we transition to net zero.
“We look forward to working with the new Government offi cials, politicians and policy makers from all parties to develop a plan to train the UK workforce to meet the needs of our low carbon future. It is vital that there are suffi cient
trained and accredited workers to take advantage of those opportunities as we transition to net zero, which is where organisations such as NAPIT will be an integral part.”
ewnews.co.uk
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