TUC calls for ambitious industrial strategy “laser focused on jobs”
New TUC polling shows that clear majority (56%) of UK voters support government investment in manufacturing.
Call comes ahead of imminent Industrial Strategy.
The TUC is today (Saturday 21 June) calling for an ambitious industrial strategy “laser focused on jobs.”
The call comes as the Government prepares to publish its Industrial Strategy.
The TUC says the government needs to deliver an ambitious industrial strategy that can restore confidence in manufacturing industries – and protect and create jobs.
The TUC warns that without sustained investment and forward planning, jobs in manufacturing will be lost as other countries - including China and Germany - race ahead to modernise their industries.
Clear support for public investment
New TUC polling released today shows that a clear majority (56%) of UK voters supports government investment in manufacturing in industries such as clean steel, next generation cars and modern trains to reduce reliance on foreign imports and create jobs.
This is compared to around 3 in 10 (27%) who think we don’t have enough money to invest in UK manufacturing.
This view is shared across the political spectrum, including:
More than 6 in 10 (63%) of those who had formerly voted Conservative but switched to Labour at the 2024 election.
More than 5 in 10 (56%) of those who voted for Labour in 2024 election and are now intending to vote Reform at the next election.
Industrial Strategy
UK areas with strong manufacturing presence have overwhelmingly elected Labour at the 2024 election.
However, new TUC analysis shows that of the 89 Labour seats in which Reform came second, 83% (74) have higher than average manufacturing employment.
The union body analysis also shows that Labour seats with the highest manufacturing employment are more likely to have Reform as the second party (34% of seats), compared to the average likelihood across all Labour constituencies (22% of seats).
Reform has pledged to cut all government investment in clean energy and industry – which would result in thousands of people losing their jobs.
The TUC says that this shows the importance to the government of delivering an ambitious industrial strategy with good jobs at its heart.
A bleak alternative
This warning comes after a string of closures across the UK – often due to the prohibitive cost of industrial energy, especially in comparison with international competitors.
UK industrial electricity prices are now at least 50% more than European competitors, and four times more than in the US. This critically undermines UK production and exports.
The TUC is calling on the government to help make UK industry competitive again by intervening to reduce the cost of industrial electricity as part of its industrial strategy.
TUC General Secretary Paul Nowak said:
“We all want to make the UK a place where manufacturing can thrive again.
“After 14 years of Tory failures, this government now has a clear mandate to deliver industrial renewal.
“And this is what UK voters and workers expect from our leaders.
“A bold and ambitious industrial strategy which is laser focused on jobs is vital – especially in the face of global volatility and US tariffs.
“Ministers must do everything they can to back British jobs by investing in domestic manufacturing: next-generation cars, materials, clean power - and build all of this here.
“That’s how you create good quality jobs in every corner of the country and strengthen our own supply chains.”
On Reform’s position on UK manufacturing, Paul Nowak said:
“Farage has pledged to cut all government investment in clean energy and industry. That is a war on good jobs.
“This would be devastating for communities that rely on manufacturing, and it would lead to many people losing their jobs.”
ENDS
Notes to editors:
About the poll: the poll was conducted by strategic opinion research firm Hold Sway between 4th and 9th March. It is a nationally representative online survey of 5,000 adults in Great Britain. The sample is weighted to national profiles on age and gender, region, ethnicity, socioeconomic grade and education; and to the results of the 2024 General Election and 2016 EU referendum.
Hold Sway was established by Peter McLeod in 2023. Peter formerly ran the London office of Washington, D.C.-based pollster GQR Research from 2017 to 2022.
- About the TUC: The Trades Union Congress (TUC) exists to make the working world a better place for everyone. We bring together the 5.5 million working people who make up our 48 member unions. We support unions to grow and thrive, and we stand up for everyone who works for a living.
Contacts:
TUC press office
media@tuc.org.uk
020 7467 1248
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