‘A compelling vision’

Unite general secretary Len McCluskey on Labour’s industrial strategy:

“The Labour Party has thrown down the gauntlet to the Conservative government by outlining a compelling vision of what an industrial strategy should look like.

“In contrast to the uncertainty and confusion offered by Tory ministers Labour is showing it is serious about developing an industrial strategy which equips the UK for the Brexit challenges ahead and delivers an economy built on the creation of decent, secure jobs.

“The government faces a challenge to make good on its promise of an industrial strategy and spell out how it will support manufacturing and key foundation industries like our crisis-hit steel sector.

“A failure to do so when the chancellor of exchequer, Philip Hammond, delivers his Autumn Statement next week, will only feed the growing uncertainty over the government’s lack of clarity and its shifty secrecy around Brexit, which is doing nothing to instil confidence for business and workers alike.

“Long-forgotten communities cannot rebuild on warm words, or worse the deliberate inaction that sees the Redcar steel works now rotting and many of its skilled workers on benefits.”

Len McCluskey, Unite general secretary