More than 40 progressive economists have written to Sharon Graham, the leader of Unite, rejecting her claim that Ed Miliband would destroy jobs if he becomes the next chancellor. The intervention comes as a fierce debate rages within Labour about who should succeed Rachel Reeves at the Treasury, with Miliband considered a frontrunner and Andy Burnham almost certain to become prime minister within weeks.
Graham, who advocates new licences for North Sea oil and gas extraction, told the Sunday Times that Miliband’s fierce commitment to net zero would be a “noose around the neck” of job creation. “Ed only seems to be interested in one side of the equation, rushing Britain to net zero with almost no thought for jobs, skills and national security,” she said. Unite has also been frustrated by the closure of UK oil refineries and the lack of British jobs in the offshore wind industry.
“Over 40 economists reject Unite leader Sharon Graham's claim that Ed Miliband would destroy jobs as chancellor”
In an open letter, academics including Kate Pickett, the author of The Spirit Level; Danny Dorling; Daniela Gabor, a professor of economics at Soas University of London; and James Meadway from the thinktank Verdant urged Graham to withdraw her remarks. “The climate transition is one of the largest drivers of industrial job creation in the UK economy. The net zero economy generates output worth over £100bn and employs over a million workers. As the sector expands, these numbers will grow further,” they wrote. “The workers driving the green transition need union representation, good wages and champions in government.” They added: “There is no alternative to the green transition. The effects of climate change are with us now. Miliband is right to oppose further expansion of North Sea oil and gas.”
Other signatories include Howard Reed, director of Landman Economics; Ann Pettifor; and Jo Michell, a professor of economics at the University of the West of England.
Miliband used a speech at London Climate Week on Tuesday to hail the benefits of investment in green energy for jobs and growth. “The UK’s clean economy is booming,” he said. Burnham is expected to become Labour leader on 17 July if he does not face a challenge from an alternative candidate, which has looked unlikely since Wes Streeting threw his weight behind the former Greater Manchester mayor.
Meanwhile, at one of his last Prime Minister’s Questions, Sir Keir Starmer defiantly stood by Reeves, who sat on the front bench alongside him, and praised her for “breaking from austerity” despite what the Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch called “treacherous” behaviour. Starmer’s defence of both Reeves and Miliband underscored the high stakes as Labour navigates internal divisions over energy policy and the economy.