Unite, the UK’s leading union, has been working with government, along with others over many months looking at how we deal with the issue of industrial energy costs. Unite has long been pushing for the government to reduce these costs to ensure that UK industry becomes more competitive. 
 
The industrial strategy marks a first step in that process, but the government needs to go further to provide the entire manufacturing sector with the support it needs. The government still needs to tackle the long-term problems of the UK’s energy system, which requires bringing it into public ownership, starting with the National Grid.
 
The entire industrial strategy needs to have job creation and protection clearly at the forefront of all investment decisions.
 
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Make no mistake this is one of the most important measures the government has undertaken to protect jobs and improve job security. 
 
“UK industry is highly competitive, until you include energy costs which in many industries make it the least competitive. Tackling industrial energy prices is the single most important thing the government can do as part of the industrial strategy.
 
“Unite would like to have seen the government go further. Our energy system is broken beyond repair; it will never function in the interests of business and consumers until it is brought back into public ownership. That must start with the National Grid to ensure industry can get the power it needs when it needs it and is not left waiting for ever for new connections.
 
“For too long UK industry has been the poor relation and that must be reversed sooner than later. The full effect of the industrial strategy needs to come into effect now. UK Industry can’t wait for jam tomorrow.
 
“The government is right to be focussing on jobs creation and skills, but such plans need to be real and effective, not the telephone numbers of the past with no detail. They also need to deal with the decisions to be made in the here and now that affect jobs, like the decision to buy British Typhoons and a clear plan for Grangemouth.”
 
Unite has a concern that the timescale for the implementation of the strategy is for 2027 and beyond. Due to the long-term failure to support UK industry, Unite believes an earlier implementation date would be highly advantageous, along with a clear funding plan. 
 
ENDS
 
Notes to editors:
 
For media enquiries ONLY please contact Unite senior communications advisor Barckley Sumner on 07802 329235.
 
Email: barckley.sumner@unitetheunion.org
 
Twitter: @unitetheunion Facebook: unitetheunion1 Instagram: unitetheunion Web: unitetheunion.org
 
Unite is the UK and Ireland’s leading union fighting to protect and advance jobs, pay and conditions for members working across all sectors of the economy. The general secretary is Sharon Graham