Union claims 'Levelling-Up' plan 'leaves Cornwall behind' and fails to provide jobs
The TUC has described Michael Gove's blueprint as a "major let down"
Last updated 3rd Feb 2022
It is claimed that the government's "Levelling-Up" white paper has "once again" left Cornwall behind.
According to the TUC, the blueprint fails to provide well paid jobs across the South West.
On Wednesday, Michael Gove announced "12 big missions" to provide equal opportunities for communities across the UK.
That incudes identifying the Duchy as one of 55 'Education Investment Areas' nationwide, to receive more support.
It will cover everything from attracting the best teachers to raising school standards.
Cornwall is also among nine areas that have been invited to agree a new county deal.
However, in terms of providing jobs, the TUC has described the plan as a "major let down".
"Millions will continue to struggle"
TUC Regional Secretary for the South West, Nigel Costley, said: “Disappointingly, this paper confirms Cornwall has been left behind once again.
“This government’s much talked-about, long overdue plan to level up our region is a major let down.
“It simply rehashes old money and crucially, fails to provide a serious plan to deliver decent, well-paid jobs across the South West, including Cornwall.
“Because if don’t level up our workplaces, we won’t level up our region.
"Insecure work and low pay are rife across Cornwall. And for too many families, being in work is no longer enough to pay the bills and put food on the table.
“The country is facing a serious cost-of-living crisis. Working families need action now to improve their jobs and pay packets – especially after more than a decade of lost pay.
"Ministers should have announced a plan to get real wages rising – starting with a proper pay rise for all our key workers as well as the introduction of fair pay deals for workers in scandalously low-paid industries.
“And they should have delivered the long-awaited employment bill to ban zero hours contracts – as well as new, meaningful investment in skills and good green jobs of the future.
"Without a plan to deliver decent work, millions will continue to struggle on low wages, and with poor health and prospects".
Recent polling on behalf of the TUC found the public’s number one priority for levelling up is more and better jobs.
The TUC polling, conducted by YouGov, reveals that the most popular priority for levelling up, chosen by one in two Britons, is increasing the number and quality of jobs available.
Increasing the number and quality of jobs is popular across the political spectrum. Half (49% of those who voted Conservative in the 2019 general election picked it as their top priority, along with more than half of Labour voters (56%) and Lib Dem voters (54%).