UK
manufacturing jobs have fallen to a low of 3.51 million, prompting calls for
the Government to provide more support for the sector.
The
Transport and General Workers’ Union wants "a firm, radical policy to
support manufacturing".
Peter
Booth, T&G national organiser for manufacturing, said: "Manufacturing
has hit an all-time low and the Government cannot continue to stand by while UK
manufacturing is driven into extinction. The exceptional global competitive
pressures make this situation deeply serious and urgent. The Government must
put in place a firm, radical policy supporting manufacturing and, where
necessary, be prepared to intervene directly.
"Manufacturing
is an integral part of our economy. Every successful advanced economy in the
world has a strong manufacturing base and the UK economy will not be viable in
its own right by relying solely on the service sector for wealth creation.
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"Not
to take action in the short term to support manufacturing will jeopardise the
long term stability of the whole economy."
