Chuka quizzed

Labour’s Chuka Umunna MP, shadow business secretary took a range of questions from delegates – including Unite’s John Cooper (pictured).

John works at the Vauxhall plant in Ellesmere Port and is the Unite convenor.

Chuka Umunna visited the plant in February 2013 and discussed a range of issues with Unite reps. He also made a commitment to the workforce that Labour would implement a policy of positive procurement to support UK manufacturing.

In his question John expressed concern that all six of the North West Police Areas, including Merseyside had procured their fleet vehicles from Hyundai.

“We want to see a bigger footprint for manufacturing to deliver decent jobs,” said John.

“How have you been taking your commitment to the Vauxhall workforce forward since you met us and what have you planned to do for after the general election next year?” he asked.

Chuka replied that he was only to aware of the social benefits that procurement can bring. He said that since his visit to Vauxhall he had set up a front bench working group to “look strategically at how we can use procurement to back British industry.”

He pledged that under Labour there would be criteria to ensure UK-manufactured goods were procured by the public sector.