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Press Release

As manufacturing sector shrinks, Unite proposes 10 pillars to support manufacturing

1 December 2011

As Britain's manufacturing sector shrank for a second successive month in November, Unite has proposed 10 pillars to support Britain's manufacturing sector.

The Markit/CIPS Manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) fell to 47.6 in November - its lowest level since June 2009.

Unite assistant general secretary, Tony Burke said:

"We have some fantastic manufacturing companies in the UK with world class workforces, but Osborne's austerity addiction is crippling consumer demand at home, meaning we're in no fit shape to weather the global economic storm.

“Manufacturing should be driving our economy, but the government has no strategy for UK manufacturing. This Tory-led government is doing more damage to UK manufacturing than any previous Conservative government.

“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.

Unite has proposed ten pillars to support manufacturing . Unite's 2020 Vision sets out Unite's strategy and calls 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 to support manufacturing 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.

Unite's 2020 Vision is available to download from the Unite website, please visit www.unitetheunion.org



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