The TUC (federation of Britain’s Trade Union’s) has criticised government cuts to renewable technology projects, arguing that this will ruin the country’s chances of progressing towards a clean energy future.

Responding to a speech made on Wednesday, by the Energy Secretary Amber Rudd on the future of energy production, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said, “Phasing out unabated coal is the right thing to do, but government cuts to support for renewables will blow the UK’s chance of having a clean energy future with balanced supply. High tech jobs in green energy are under threat, and consumers will lose out on plummeting prices for wind and solar.”

In Wednesday’s speech, Rudd promised a consultation on moving away form coal power by 2025 and expressed support for nuclear power and offshore wind farms. The TUC is calling for a “balance in energy supply” and believes that “gas and coal [can] be part of the future green energy supply” in the UK.

O’Grady added, “The UK must be at the head of the global race for clean energy so that we can protect our environment, create high tech jobs, and sell green technology to the world. But if we dash for gas we will be running in the wrong direction. New gas should not be commissioned without a firm commitment to carbon capture for energy and heavy industry. And there must be a balance of supply with nuclear, gas and coal that allows renewable energy enough room for rapid growth.”