Union leader calls for a £1bn strategic fund for north west jobs
15 January 2009
On a visit to the North West (15th January 2008), Derek Simpson
the joint leader of Unite, will call for a £1bn strategic fund, to
support jobs in the UK's second biggest regional economy.
Mr Simpson will meet workplace representatives working in
occupations across manufacturing, health and finance this Thursday
15th January. The union is calling for a £13 billion strategic
support package from Government, similar to the support provided
last year by the German, French and Swedish governments to their
manufacturing sectors. The union believes £1bn should be used to
support vital industries in the North West like car manufacturing
and aerospace.
Unite Joint General secretary Derek Simpson said: "The North
West is a hub of excellence for manufacturing and it can't afford
to lose its critical mass. Aid is urgently needed for the car
industry. Productive companies like Jaguar Land Rover need short
term support to help them through the credit crunch. But help also
needs to be made available for the aerospace sector as well as
other strategic manufacturing companies in the North West. That's
why Unite is pressing the government for a strategic support
package to support skilled jobs in the North West."
The union has welcomed yesterday's announcement from the
Government to guarantee up to £20bn of loans to small and
medium-sized firms to help them survive the downturn. However, help
is still needed to support the UK's strategic manufacturing
industries. Companies like Airbus in Broughton face problems
because airlines are having difficulty in raising cash to buy new
planes. Airbus' suppliers like GKN and Goodrich, all based in the
North West, are feeling the knock-on effect of the credit crunch.
Unite believes that funding should be made available to protect
jobs if and when these companies need support.
Mr Simpson continued: "There are many productive and efficient
manufacturing companies across the North West in need of short term
support to help them through the credit crunch. Governments
including those in the US, Germany, France and Sweden, have granted
support and we are calling on the Government to give viable British
manufacturing companies similar help so that we do not lose the
skills essential to ensuring this country emerges from the
recession as a leading economy."
At the end of 2008, Unite the union presented Gordon Brown and
Alistair Darling with ten key priorities as part of government
action to spend its way out of the credit crunch and kick-start the
faltering economy. The Government has already announced protection
for homeowners, investments in public infrastructure and increased
spending, a cut in VAT and a new 45% higher rate of income tax
rate.
ENDS
Contact: Ciaran Naidoo on 07768 931 315
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