MANUFACTURING CRISIS (20/08/02)

Manufacturing output fell by 5.3 per cent between May and June on this year. This was the biggest monthly fall in percentage terms since January 1979. It was the fourth biggest fall since monthly data began being collated in 1968.

The Shadow Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, Tim Yeo MP, said, ‘It is no surprise that in the latest Annual Manufacturing Report 90 per cent of all manufacturers rate the Government’s involvement in industry as poor.

‘What manufacturers want to see is a reversal of the crippling £6bn a year in constantly changing regulations and £6bn a year in new taxes introduced by Labour.

‘Not only is manufacturing output falling at its fastest rate since 1979, we now hear that the sector has lost 174,000 jobs in the lst quarter alone.

‘Sadly all the manufacturing sector is currently getting from Government is nothing more than apologies.’

The percentage of people who have been unemployed for over 1 year had increased by 1% in Somerset. The disturbing figure now stands at 14% of the unemployed total in May 2002. It is higher than the long-term unemployment rate for the South West, which was 13% in May.

Somerset County Conservatives are alarmed. They do not want to see Government neglect of manufacturing exacerbated by a lack of economic drive.

Conservative spokesman for Economic and Community Development, John Edney, said, ‘Somerset’s economy must be rejuvenated. I am not saying that this will be an easy undertaking. However, this is not a reason to shy away from it. The economy is central to delivering excellent public services and ensuring a good standard of living for the residents of Somerset. It is the duty of the County Council to provide a sustainable environment for businesses to operate; to support the creation of new jobs in the area; and to ensure the infrastructure is there to make these dreams a reality.’