THE LABOUR PARTY has launched a public consultation over its “industrial strategy” – in other words, its policy on how to run the economy, which will form the basis of its next manifesto and campaigning up to the 2020 General Election. As the consultation is open to members of the public, the Party is keen to invite you to have your say.
Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), Clive Lewis MP, outlined Labour’s thinking in a speech last year. He concentrated on taking a green way forward, committing a future Labour Government to ensuring that 60% of the country’s energy comes from low carbon or renewable sources by 2030 – and that the process of achieving this will create domestic jobs, regenerating areas where manufacturing and related industries have declined and giving the UK an exportable expertise in green technology.
While the Party is ploughing ahead with this consultation, the Tories are being left behind – with a Government Green Paper, initially promised in September, still not having been published.
Clive Lewis MP invited the public to get involved, saying, “For too long, the benefits of growth have not been shared across the country. Only a bold, transformative industrial strategy can fix these problems. This consultation will help us develop the specific policies and interventions to make this vision a reality. I urge everyone to get involved – together we can deliver an economy that is stronger, fairer, and sustainable.”
Chi Onwurah MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Industrial Strategy, added: “We need an industrial strategy to deliver the high-skill, high-wage economy the British people want. Our industrial strategy will be challenge-led, mission-orientated, values-driven and reflect the contributions of stakeholders large and small. Please get involved and have your say on the jobs of the future.”
•Have your say in Labour’s BEIS policy consultation. •To read Labour’s introduction to the consultation and to give your views by answering set questions on policy areas, go to: http://www.labourbeis.org/consultation/ •To send Labour your views, email your response to: labourbeis@labour.org.uk
•Labour’s policy consultation was announced as The British Chambers of Commerce published its Quarterly Economic Survey, which warns that inflation is set to rise. Jonathan Reynolds MP, Labour’s Shadow Treasury Minister, echoed their concerns, warning: “We already know that higher inflation is a threat to working people’s living standards, and today’s findings highlight the risk to businesses as well. British businesses need certainty and a plan from Government so they can invest in their future, protecting jobs, prosperity and competitiveness”
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