OFFSHORE workers have raised concerns over the potential effect of the government’s new wind energy plan on secure jobs.

The plan, announced today, will ensure that 30 per cent of all new electricity comes from offshore wind by 2030.

It is the latest in a series of developments that the government says will move Britain towards reliance on low-carbon sources over the coming decade.

However, offshore workers’ union RMT expressed fears that the government’s industrial strategy for wind energy ignores the casualisation of wind industry work, where crew on offshore construction projects can be expected to be paid less than the legal minimum wage of £7.83.

General secretary Mick Cash said: “RMT is concerned that the offshore wind industry has already adopted a regressive business model based on subcontracting and deregulation.

“Costs cut on that basis are a completely false economy and inhibit job creation.”