Manufacturing Week highlights need for more government action to help Midlands firms

6.02.43pm GMT Wed 3rd Mar 2010

Liz Lynne at the now closed Peugeot plant at Ryton, one of a long list of major manufacturers who have closed down in the region

UK 'Manufacturing Week' from 1-5 March highlights the crying need for more proactive policies to help West Midlands firms climb out of the recession, says Euro MP Liz Lynne.

300,000 people work in manufacturing in the West Midlands region, accounting for 16% of full-time jobs, but the LibDem MEP says recent large closures and the Cadbury fiasco show that government policy is in crisis.

Liz Lynne, who is Co Chair of the European Manufacturing Forum, spoke out at the European Parliament today in Brussels. She said:

"It is important to recognise we still have a vital manufacturing sector in the UK, particularly here in the West Midlands. We should be doing much more to support it.

"Unfortunately this Government was obsessed with financial services to the detriment of hardworking people and the manufacturing industry.

"Billions of pounds of taxpayers money were thrown at the banks - and it was right to stop them collapsing. But ministers then did nothing other than shed crocodile tears when one of those rescued banks used our money to underwrite the Cadbury takeover.

"There are things the European Union can do to help, such as the Globalisation Adjustment Fund which can support retraining after redundancy, but incredibly, our government almost never applies for it. The rundown at the Ericsson plant in Coventry this year is a classic example.

"Rover was allowed to fail, Alstom at Washwood Heath has gone, Ryton too, and now one of the two big Jaguar Land Rover plants is set to close.

"The West Midlands still has many superb manufacturers leading their field in design and quality, but frankly public policy has often been less than helpful.

"There are practical things we can do. We can scrap a lot of pointless red tape. We need to do more to address the ageing workforce and risk of serious skills shortages. I have long called for an increase in the number of apprenticeships."

Liz Lynne, who is also Vice President of the Parliament's Employment and Social Affairs committee, added: "I believe manufacturing has a bright future in the West Midlands, but firms need the right policies, a more supportive environment and less red tape."

ENDS

Notes:

Manufacturing week began on Monday 1 March and will involve a series of regional and national events around the UK aimed at manufacturers, politicians of all parties including prospective parliamentary candidates, the media and other key stakeholders.

West Midlands Liberal Democrats will propose a motion to Liberal Democrat Federal Conference in Birmingham on the 13th March calling for practical help for manufacturers.