Liberal Democrats in Business

News and views from the Lib Dem Trade and Industry Team, Vince Cable and Brian Cotter

HOW MANY MORE MANUFACTURING JOBS MUST BE LOST BEFORE BROWN ACTS?

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Fri 9th May 2003

The Index of production figures out today show a continued fall in manufacturing output, partly driven by a continued fall in production of investment goods - with output of investment goods dropping more than 20% over the last two years.

Manufacturing output is still below 1995 levels. Matthew Taylor MP, Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor, said: "Manufacturing is still floundering with output below the levels when Labour came to power. "

"We have already lost more than 500,000 jobs in manufacturing since 1997. How many more jobs must be lost before the Chancellor spells out what he plans to do about slumping investment?

"It is Gordon Brown's complacency on the economy, rather than his forecasts, that is threatening jobs, investment and growth."

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