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Unite launches ‘2020 Vision - Unite strategy for manufacturing’

29 November 2011

At Unite’s annual sector conference today (Tuesday 29 November) Unite assistant general secretary Tony Burke will launch ‘2020 Vision - Unite strategy for manufacturing’, setting out the union’s policy to revive and rebuild the UK's manufacturing sector over the remainder of the decade.

Unite, the UK’s largest union, believes a strong and sustainable manufacturing sector is essential to the economic prosperity of the UK. Tony Burke, who has overall responsibility for manufacturing in the union, will highlight the importance for the UK economy to have a robust and skilled manufacturing base.

However, he will warn delegates of the dangers faced by UK manufacturing where ‘this Tory-led coalition government is doing more damage to UK manufacturing than any previous Conservative government’.

Tony Burke will say: “Manufacturing is the lifeblood of our economy. However, the problem is this Tory-led coalition government has no long-term strategy on UK manufacturing and is doing more damage to UK manufacturing than any previous Conservative government.

“This government is strong on manufacturing rhetoric but weak on delivery. Actions speak louder than words and the actions, so far, have fallen woefully short of what is needed to provide the support for manufacturing which has been missing for so long. If this government is serious about rebalancing the economy, we need to invest in the UK’s manufacturing skills base with a long-term solution.

“2020 vision sets out Unite’s strategy and calls for the need for a strong and robust manufacturing base which uses the latest technology, invests in the future and invests in apprenticeships and skills in order to avoid skill shortages and create a successful and balanced economy.”

Unite has proposed the ten pillars upon which manufacturing should be based which are:

1. Build a framework of policies to defend strategically important industries.
2. Continued financial support through interventionist policies.
3. Targeted support for small and medium sized enterprises.
4. Better use of government purchasing power to secure manufacturing jobs in the UK.
5. Maximising the opportunities that the low carbon revolution offers.
6. Delivery of an education and skills framework which meets all industry’s needs.
7. Creating a university structure which builds on the science base so necessary to secure high skilled jobs.
8. Create right investment environment for research and development.
9. Creation of a level playing field to deliver security and fair pricing for energy.
10. A framework of legislation which promotes transparency and engagement for all stakeholders in the future of manufacturing.

ENDS

For further information contact Ashraf Choudhury in the Unite press office on 020 3371 2061 or 07980 224761