Unite, the UK’s leading union, has welcomed the government’s plans to overhaul the public procurement system but has warned that more detail is needed to ensure that domestic industry fully benefits from the changes.
 
Unite has long argued that all public sector and major infrastructure projects should use UK materials, such as steel. By making such procurement rules compulsory industry will have a greater level of certainty and will be able to invest in the UK accordingly.
 
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “The government’s infrastructure plan is an important first step. Now is the time to back British jobs at every opportunity and invest in the industries of tomorrow
 
“Ultimately the devil will be in the detail, we need cast iron rules that ensure that UK materials are used in major projects on every occasion, there must be no wriggle room to allow companies to backslide on their obligations.”
 
“Steel is a key example. Unite has long been campaigning that all UK infrastructure projects use UK steel. The Heathrow expansion using British steel is a start but falls short of the scale of commitment needed. Backing Britain wholesale is what is required. For jobs and growth.'”
 
Earlier this year Unite welcomed the announcement that Heathrow Airport Ltd has agreed to use UK produced steel in the development of a new runway. The union has consistently argued that steel should be reclassified as “critical national infrastructure” to ensure that all similar projects make the same commitment to protect and enhance the UK’s steel industry.
 
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