Costs of Hosting COP26 in Glasgow Slammed by GMB Scotland

By theorkneynews on January 16, 2020 • ( 2 Comments )

A trade union has reacted angrily to reports that the international Climate Conference to be held in Glasgow this year is expected to cost £100million in providing security.

Gary Smith Secretary of GMB Scotland said:

“The prospect of hundreds of millions of pounds of public money spent on policing costs alone will sicken frontline council staff and struggling local communities.

“The world’s political elite will fly in and out of Glasgow later in the year but the city’s many challenges will remain the day after the circus leave town.

“What exactly are we hoping to showcase by hosting this summit?

“Glasgow waste crisis is getting worse – you only need to look at the latest footage of the conditions facing cleansing workers on a daily basis.

“Our home carers are working alone on foot at night to provide basic home care help for some of our most vulnerable citizens.

“The council needs to find an additional £250 million to settle residual equal pay claims for tens of thousands of council staff past and present.

“It also needs to replace its discriminatory WPBR with a new job evaluation system lifts up the pay and conditions of chronically low-paid staff.

“Our priorities are all wrong. The best thing government could do for Glasgow is to ditch hosting the COP and instead invest the money in dealing with the state of the city.”

The Glasgow Science Centre is to be the base of the United Nations Climate Summit: COP26. It will take place between the 9th and 20th of November. It is expected to attract over 30,000 delegates.

Roseanna Cunningham, Climate Change Secretary in the Scottish Government said:

“COP26 is a unique opportunity for Scotland to take part in the global debate on how to tackle the climate emergency. We are determined that community groups, campaigners and people of all ages from across Scotland are able to be involved, and have their views heard.

“That is why I am delighted that we have entered into this partnership with Glasgow Science Centre to host a series of events during COP26.

“I look forward to working with them in the coming year to develop a programme that is enjoyable and informative, and one that showcases Scotland’s ambition and innovation in tackling climate change.”