PRIME Minister Keir Starmer has vowed to bring ‘good jobs and growth’ to Barnsley and says all homes and businesses in the town will have low-cost heating by 2050.
The Labour government’s Great British Energy plan claims to cut bills and create good jobs in the town - and in a letter to Chronicle readers, he promised they will help support locals in the years to come.
It will be a publicly-owned clean energy company, managing and operating project, such as wind farms, up and down the country.
Sir Keir said he will invest in the whole of Barnsley - and is determined to help the town grow.
He told the Chronicle: “It’s absolutely right that we honour those who contributed so much to our country.
“But that’s not enough.
“Just as I fought for miners’ jobs decades ago as a lawyer, as Prime Minister I’m determined that their children will have the good, well-paid jobs of the future.
“These communities will continue to power our nation for generations to come.
“That’s why we’re launching a clean energy revolution.
“We’ve set up Great British Energy, to cut bills, boost our energy independence and create good jobs.
“We’re bringing investment into communities.”
The scheme will also see the launch of the ‘Barnsley Heat Network’ which will bring low-cost heating to everyone in the town over the next 25 years.
He added: “The Barnsley Heat Network will offer low carbon, lower cost heating to all homes and businesses in Barnsley town by 2050.
“Construction will start early next year, bringing good jobs and growth to Barnsley.
“In the Budget, we announced funding for 11 new hydrogen projects around the country.
“One of these will be in Bradford.
“It will generate £120m for the local economy and support the creation of up to 125 new jobs in Yorkshire.
“That’s on top of the other changes we’re making. We’re driving the biggest uplift to workers rights in a generation - ending fire and rehire, scrapping exploitative zero hours contracts and protecting maternity and paternity rights.
“We’re increasing the National Living Wage, which will put an extra £1,400 a year in the pockets of working people.
“And we’re protecting the triple lock for those who have worked hard all their lives.
“All my life, I’ve stood with mining communities.
“With this government, we will make sure they have the respect they deserve, the good jobs they need and the opportunities for a better future.”
You may also want to read: 'Money belongs to the miners' – Starmer https://www.barnsleychronicle.com/article/30314/money-belongs-to-the-miners
