Local residents protest against solar industry job cuts

Loss of solar industry jobs

At a recent Jobs Fair, organised by Amber Rudd, Hastings and Rye MP and Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change was challenged by local residents about the loss of solar industry jobs, due to the cuts made by her government department. Zelly Restorick writes.

The banner, reading ‘Amber Rudd’s solar cuts: Destroying 18,700 jobs Destroying the planet’ was held up when the MP arrived – and behind her as she opened the fair.

Protesters make their point about job losses as Amber Rudd addresses the Jobs Fair. Photo CHD.

The Combe Haven Defenders state:”The Department of Energy and Climate Change’s own impact assessment document shows that the cuts to solar subsidies could lead to the loss of up to 18,700 jobs in the solar industry, as well as increasing carbon emissions as solar energy is replaced with gas. Already a number of solar firms have gone bust as a result of the cuts, which will save the average household around two pence per day on their bills.

“Announcing the cuts, Amber Rudd said ‘Subsidy should be temporary, not part of a permanent business model’. However, a recent IMF report shows that fossil fuel companies in the UK are given annual subsidies of £26bn on a permanent basis.”

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