.png?width=900&height=500)
The UK has lost more than 620,000 manufacturing jobs since the financial crash, new analysis by GMB has shown.
The figures, discussed at GMB’s Manufacturing Conference in Belfast this week, show that 621,600 jobs in the sector disappeared between 2007 and 2019, a massive fall of 17%.
In 2007, the UK supported 3.5 million permanent and temporary manufacturing jobs, but by 2019 that figure had slumped to 2.9 million.
GMB says the slump has been worsened by Conservative Government’s lack of industrial strategy and failure to invest in UK jobs is costing a generation of workers their futures.
The union is campaigning for procurement decisions to take account of tax and spending in the UK, as well as subsides paid to non-UK competitors.
Jude Brimble, GMB National Secretary, said:
“It’s a scandal the Conservatives are willing to gamble away manufacturing’s future.
“Under their watch, vital contracts are being sent overseas at the expense of industries including shipbuilding and renewables manufacturing.
There could be an important vote in the House of Commons soon - please help us spread the word and stand up for British manufacturing!
— GMB Union (@GMB_union) October 21, 2019
Follow this thread for a break-down of manufacturing jobs by nation and region ???? pic.twitter.com/7v1xET6H2a
“The absence of any kind of industrial strategy, coupled with a complete lack of investment is robbing a whole generation of their futures.
“This has not happened by chance. There are thousands of jobs that could be created in sustainable energy and renewables, but this government have failed to invest and let our contracts go overseas.
It’s a scandal the Conservatives are willing to gamble away manufacturing’s future.
Jude Brimble, GMB National Secretary
“Labour are promising a Green Industrial Revolution that creates the jobs our manufacturing industry that communities are crying out for.”
