SCOTLAND could lose 230,000 jobs as more robots are introduced into the workplace, a new report claims.
The Centre for Cities annual look at the state of the country, estimates 112,700 jobs in Glasgow, 60,800 in Edinburgh, 35,900 in Aberdeen, and 20,000 in Dundee will go as firms adopt new technologies.
Across the UK around 3.6 million jobs will be made obsolete with robots expected to take over tasks in retail, customer services and warehouses.
However, as the new technology grows, new jobs, which currently don’t exist, will be created, and, the report suggests Edinburgh and Aberdeen could be placed to capitalise on those new industries.
However, the report warns of a widening of the north-south divide, with far fewer jobs in London and the south of England being swallowed by the machines.
Andrew Carter, right, 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 in Scottish cities will lose out.
“The time to act is now – national and local leaders need to ensure that people in cities across Scotland 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.
“It’s also increasingly clear that a one-size-fits-all approach from central government is inadequate to address the myriad issues that different places face.”
The Scottish Government is currently working with four councils to fund research into the feasibility of a Universal Basic Income scheme.
This would see a flat rate payment given to all adult citizens.
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