Mansfield to lose almost 30% of jobs to robots, says report
Mansfield is set to lose nearly a third of its jobs to automation, according to a report published today (29 January).
A report published by Centre for Cities, called Cities Outlook 2018, says that the town will lose 29% of its workforce to automation by 2030.
It reveals that 1 in 5 existing jobs in British cities are likely to be displaced by 2030 as a result of automation and globalisation – amounting to 3.6m jobs in total – with retail occupations, customer service roles and warehouse jobs among those most at threat.
The risk, it says, is not spread evenly across the country, with struggling cities in the North and Midlands more exposed to job losses than wealthier cities in the South. Around 18% of jobs are under threat in Southern cities, compared to 23% in cities elsewhere in the country.
Mansfield is home to the highest share of jobs likely to decline of any UK city. The report also links the research to the share of people voting to support or object to Brexit.
Top 10 British cities most at risk of job losses resulting from automation and globalisation
In contrast, the cities with the lowest shares of jobs at risk are predominantly affluent places in the South of England which voted in favour of remaining in the European Union:
Top 10 British cities least at risk of job losses resulting from automation and globalisation
Andrew Carter, Chief Executive of Centre for Cities, said: “Automation and globalisation will bring huge opportunities to increase prosperity and jobs, but there is also a real risk that many people and places will lose out. The time to act is now – national and local leaders need to ensure that people in cities across the North and Midlands can share in the benefits these changes could offer.
“That means reforming the education system to give young people the cognitive and interpersonal skills they need to thrive in the future, and improving school standards, especially in places where jobs are most at risk. We also need greater investment in lifelong learning and technical education to help adults adapt to the changing labour market, and better retraining for people who lose their jobs because of these changes.
“In an evermore divided country, it’s increasingly clear that a one-size-fits-all approach from central government is inadequate to address the myriad issues that different places face. The challenges and opportunities ahead for Blackburn are very different to those for Brighton. The Government needs to give cities more powers and resources to tackle the issues that automation and globalisation will present, and to make the most of the benefits they will bring.”
