{"id":9804,"date":"2016-09-13T15:29:52","date_gmt":"2016-09-13T14:29:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/unitelive.org\/?p=9804"},"modified":"2016-09-15T13:38:33","modified_gmt":"2016-09-15T12:38:33","slug":"support-manufacturing-plea","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/unitelive.test.igniteamt.com\/?p=9804","title":{"rendered":"Support manufacturing plea"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\u00e2\u20ac\u015bConference, there is a clear need for the UK to have an integrated, industrial strategy \u00e2\u20ac\u201c to rebalance the economy and support our manufacturing base,\u00e2\u20ac\u0165 said Unite delegate Charlotte Upton.<\/p>\n

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Supporting a motion on a modern industrial strategy Upton said it was something the last Labour government recognised.<\/p>\n

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\u00e2\u20ac\u015bFor example, it took steps to help the automotive industry and \u00e2\u20ac\u201c with the help and dedication of Unite members \u00e2\u20ac\u201c we now have a world-beating automotive sector.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

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Unite has argued strongly for an industrial strategy.<\/p>\n

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She reported, \u00e2\u20ac\u015bWe were even able to convince the BIS minister in the coalition government, Vince Cable, to back an advanced manufacturing strategy \u00e2\u20ac\u201c and even to intervene to save Vauxhalls at Ellesmere Port when the company faced difficulties.<\/p>\n

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\u00e2\u20ac\u015bWith the election of the Tory government we had a BIS minister, Sajid Javid, who boasted that he had a \u00e2\u20ac\u0098hands off approach.\u00e2\u20ac\u2122<\/p>\n

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\u00e2\u20ac\u015bWe welcome that there is a now a new minister and a new department that has \u00e2\u20ac\u0098industrial strategy\u00e2\u20ac\u2122 in its title. But we need action, not words.<\/p>\n

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\u00e2\u20ac\u015bWe need a long-term, integrated and interventionist approach to industry, using all tools at the government\u00e2\u20ac\u2122s disposal.\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

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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 \u00e2\u20ac\u0098social value\u00e2\u20ac\u2122; support for our foundation industries; and invest in our infrastructure.<\/p>\n

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What wasn\u00e2\u20ac\u2122t needed were empty slogans about the ‘March of the Makers’ and \u00e2\u20ac\u015bLiam Fox saying that British industry – and therefore British workers – has grown ‘fat and lazy’.<\/p>\n

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\u00e2\u20ac\u015bI am an electrician in British Steel in Scunthorpe. We have had a tough year in trying to save UK steel \u00e2\u20ac\u201c 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’!\u00e2\u20ac\u0165<\/p>\n

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The composite was carried.<\/p>\n

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