John McDonnell responding to ONS analysis that 1.5 million jobs at risk from automation

John McDonnell MP, Shadow Chancellor, responding to new Office for National Statistics analysis showing women, young people, and part-time workers are most likely to work in roles at high risk of automation, said:

“The workers most at risk from automation are the same workers already badly hit by austerity.

“Workers and trade unions should take charge of the changing economy, not be its casualties.

“The next Labour government will be on the side of workers and our planet, ushering in a Green Industrial Revolution.”

Ends

Notes to Editors:

• ·         ONS analysis released today found that around 1.5 million jobs in England are at high risk of automation: https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/employmentandemployeetypes/articles/whichoccupationsareathighestriskofbeingautomated/2019-03-25
• ·         The ONS analysis shows that 70.2% of the roles at high risk of automation are currently held by women and that people aged 20 to 24 years are most likely to be at risk of having their job automated (compared to other ages): https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/employmentandemployeetypes/articles/whichoccupationsareathighestriskofbeingautomated/2019-03-25
• ·         Other ONS analysis shows that people in part time positions account for 69.9% of all employees in jobs at high risk of automation: https://www.ons.gov.uk/employmentandlabourmarket/peopleinwork/employmentandemployeetypes/articles/theprobabilityofautomationinengland/2011and2017
• ·         Last year Labour commissioned a report by GFC/Clearpoint showing how the UK is falling behind in productive investment and technological innovation:https://labour.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Financing-investment-final-report-combined.pdf
• ·         Labour has also commissioned a Shorter Working Time inquiry, led by Lord Robert Skidelsky.