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As many as 70,000 people could lose their jobs in Bristol alone within the next decade as the threat of automation become ever more real.

Fresh research produced by the West of England Combined Authority (WECA) indicates that “30 per cent of workers will need to switch occupations to remain employed in 2030”, meaning 70,000 of those in permanent employment in the city will have to find new work in the next 11 years due to the rise of robots and artificial intelligence (A.I.).

Darren Jones, Labour MP for Bristol North West, has warned it will be the lowest-paid workers in the city who are hit first, with warehouse-intensive jobs in Avonmouth and retail staff in places like The Mall in Cribbs Causeway, just outside his constituency, likely to go first.

In Mr Jones’ constituency, he said as many as 17,000 people face job losses in the next 10 years due to automation.

Automation is where robots or "smart" machines will be able to carry out tasks – normally ones that require a repetitive action – that humans have usually been required to undertake.

WECA’s industrial strategy predicted that 65 per cent of children currently at primary school in the region will go onto to do jobs that do not exist yet – an indication of how drastically the employment market is changing.

(Image: PR Handout)

Mr Jones has written to Tim Bowles, the Tory West of England mayor, to call on him to invest in re-training programmes so those facing losing their jobs to robots and other intelligent forms of technology can learn fresh skills for new jobs being created.

In his letter, Mr Jones said the latest research showed Bristol and the wider region were “particularly at threat of unemployment” because of automation.

He said: “Over 70,000 workers across the City of Bristol, and 17,000 in my constituency of Bristol North West, are at risk of unemployment because of automation.

“Inclusive economic growth must include the essential re-training needs that will arise for those who will lose their jobs because of automation.

“According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the sectors most at risk are manufacturing, warehousing and logistics and retail.

“Whether it’s the manufacturing supply chain businesses or distribution centres in Avonmouth or retail jobs at the Mall at Cribbs Causeway, it is clear that the West of England is particularly at threat of unemployment.

“To make this potential outcome worse, jobs in these sectors tend to be some of the lowest paid jobs in the country.”

Mr Jones said increased use of machines in the workplace could mean “productivity gains” and “increased profits” for big businesses but coming to the cost of “many of my lowest paid constituents who will be left unemployed”.

The Labour leadership is reportedly considering whether to offer a four-day working week in its next election manifesto, in an attempt to mitigate against the impact of automation. Shadow chancellor John McDonnell also supports setting up a universal basic income pilot.

A four-day week is being trialled by some UK companies, allowing their staff to be paid the same as for a regular five-day week but have one day less at work due to the expanded remit of machines. Research has indicated a three-day weekend can increase staff wellbeing.

Universal basic income would see every person paid a wage by the Government in a move that would replace welfare benefits and also help offer a financial safety net against AI-related job cuts.

Mayor Bowles said his administration was “preparing for change” by offering a range of skills courses to ensure the region’s workforce could “thrive now and into the future”.

He said: “We are one of the country’s biggest economic success stories and we’re working hard to keep it that way.

(Image: Jon Kent)

“We’re already preparing for change with our Local Industrial Strategy and working on a new ‘Employment and Skills Plan’ which will include further analysis to help us understand the geographical impacts of particular issues, such as automation.

“I want to improve everyone’s opportunity to thrive now and into the future. We are inspiring young people and preparing them for future careers through our careers hub, improving skills to help people get on at work with Future Bright, supporting business to prosper via our growth hub and encouraging new businesses to invest in the region with Invest Bristol & Bath.

“Women are currently under-represented in digital roles and we are providing digital skills and training from entry-level taster sessions through to high-level industry specified courses as part of our new Women into Digital Jobs, Education and Training programme,” he added.