Support manufacturing plea

“Conference, there is a clear need for the UK to have an integrated, industrial strategy – to rebalance the economy and support our manufacturing base,” said Unite delegate Charlotte Upton.

Supporting a motion on a modern industrial strategy Upton said it was something the last Labour government recognised.

“For example, it took steps to help the automotive industry and – with the help and dedication of Unite members – we now have a world-beating automotive sector.”

Unite has argued strongly for an industrial strategy.

She reported, “We were even able to convince the BIS minister in the coalition government, Vince Cable, to back an advanced manufacturing strategy – and even to intervene to save Vauxhalls at Ellesmere Port when the company faced difficulties.

“With the election of the Tory government we had a BIS minister, Sajid Javid, who boasted that he had a ‘hands off approach.’

“We welcome that there is a now a new minister and a new department that has ‘industrial strategy’ in its title. But we need action, not words.

“We need a long-term, integrated and interventionist approach to industry, using all tools at the government’s disposal.”

Upton believed the strategy should invest in skills; bring back the supply chain by encouraging re-shoring and moving barriers including reducing energy costs; use public sector procurement to create a stable, internal market and generate ‘social value’; support for our foundation industries; and invest in our infrastructure.

What wasn’t needed were empty slogans about the ‘March of the Makers’ and “Liam Fox saying that British industry – and therefore British workers – has grown ‘fat and lazy’.

“I am an electrician in British Steel in Scunthorpe. We have had a tough year in trying to save UK steel – so if he wants to he can come and join me by putting on a pair of overalls at 6 o’clock in the morning. Then we will see who is ‘fat and lazy’!”

The composite was carried.