Grim figures for manufacturing output prompt Unite call for
interventionist policy
4 January 2012
Very poor figures for manufacturing output at the end of 2011
make the need for an economic interventionist policy a top priority
for the coming year, Unite, the largest union in the country, said
today (Wednesday 4 January).
UK manufacturing ended last year with the worst figures for the
last quarter of 2011 – the worst since 2009 when the UK was in the
grip of recession.
Unite assistant general secretary Tony Burke said: ”It is a grim
start to 2012 for manufacturing and our members who rely on a
strong manufacturing performance for their jobs.
”These fourth quarter figures are the worst performance since
the depth of the 2009 recession.
”We need an interventionist strategy to help manufacturing
companies, be they large or small and medium sized businesses -
otherwise stagnant manufacturing output is here for years to
come.”
The Markit Purchasing Managers Index survey, which asked
manufacturers about their output and order books, showed a reading
of 49.6 last month (December) - a tiny improvement on the 47.7
recorded in November, but still below the 50 mark which signals the
sector is expanding.
Tony Burke said: ”The coalition is seizing on any straw in the
wind – but it has no coherent strategy to help manufacturing
overall. It is a tough time across the European Union (EU) and the
eurozone crisis makes things very uncertain for companies, our
members and their families.
”We have many world-class businesses, with a workforce with
fantastic skills who need the government’s help – but all ministers
seem intent on are attacks on employment rights.
”And our manufacturing companies rely on traditional markets in
the EU. David Cameron may have won the backing of the ‘Little
Englanders’, anti-EU MPs and the right wing media by skulking away
from the European deal, but manufacturing companies and our members
are not impressed.
”We have to be on the pitch – in the game – we are not even on
the subs bench when it comes to Team Europe – we are sitting in Row
Z. But Cameron tells UK companies and our members we are not
isolated from the eurozone crisis.”
ENDS
Notes to news editors:
For further information please contact Unite communications
officer Shaun Noble on 07768 693940
