More than 0.6 million manufacturing jobs gone since crash says GMB union

At the union’s recent Belfast conference national secretary Jude Brimble stated that the country had boasted 3.5 million jobs but seen a 17% drop in number since. The claims were based on the GMB’s analysis of ONS Annual Population Survey figures

“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,” she said.

“The absence of any kind of industrial strategy, coupled with a complete lack of investment is robbing a whole generation of their futures."

She blamed successive Conservative administrations, saying lack of an industrial strategy  and failure to invest.

“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.”

The union has called for procurement decisions to take account of recipients’ tax payments and spending in the UK.

Photo: Manufacturing still attracts talent such as MGB Plastics’ award-winning apprentice Oliver Marsh but overall jobs have fallen says the GMB