WIREDGOV

Commenting on the announcement yesterday (Thursday) that the government will sell the publicly-owned Green Investment Bank (GIB) to the Macquarie Group, TUC General Secretary Frances O’Grady said:

“The sale is a missed opportunity for Britain to create the green economy we need, and to catch up with our competitors on investment in infrastructure. 

“It’s been a great success supporting green jobs by attracting billions of pounds for green infrastructure. And it’s been a great success for taxpayers, who have found themselves in possession of a valuable asset.

“It’s a shame that such a successful investment bank will no longer be boosting the public purse, but will be lining corporate pockets instead.”  

Notes to Editors:

• GIB has committed £2.3bn to 58 green infrastructure projects with a total value of £10.1bn. Every £1 committed by GIB has mobilised £3 of private investment. More info on GIB is here www.greeninvestmentbank.com/news-and-insights/2015/uk-green-investment-bank-helps-mobilise-10bn-of-capital-into-uk-green-infrastructure/
• The TUC has previously called for GIB to remain in majority public ownership, and to be given additional borrowing powers and an expanded role.
• All TUC press releases can be found at tuc.org.uk/media
• TUC Press Office on Twitter: @tucnews

Contacts:

Press Office  T: 020 7467 1248  E: media@tuc.org.uk
Alex Rossiter  T: 020 7467 1285  M: 07887 572130  E: arossiter@tuc.org.uk
Tim Nichols  T: 020 7467 1388  M: 07808 761844  E: tnichols@tuc.org.uk
Elly Gibson (Mon to Thurs) T: 020 7467 1337  M: 07900 910624  E: egibson@tuc.org.uk
Michael Pidgeon  T: 020 7467 1372  M: 07717 531150  E: mpidgeon@tuc.org.uk