We’ve got the firms so give us the work
I HAVE a feeling that Brexit could herald the Government taking positive measures to regenerate industry throughout the United Kingdom, but especially in the Midlands. We cannot live off financial services alone. There are encouraging signs, as indicated in Philip Hammond’s Budget, that ministers will back resurgence in industry.
If only politics and tradition could be put on one side, a lot more jobs could be created further reducing unemployment.
By way of illustration, Stourbridge based Parry People Movers started in 2009 their light tram service on the UK’s shortest railway branch line, less than a mile between Stourbridge Junction and Stourbridge Town. Running 18 hours a day and completing six round trips an hour at relatively low cost, this train has now carried more than three million passengers.
You would think that success of this sort would be replicated on a host of short haul operations throughout the United Kingdom. Sadly, this is not the case with train operating companies buying expensive trains from Spain, and local authorities spending copious sums on electric trams requiring expensive installation work.
With the current weak pound there is no reason why all trains both heavy and light cannot be made in this country. It needs a little more Government encouragement and a will to buy British, plus giving assurance to our manufacturers about the future.
Peugeot have been having a moan about the fact that components for Vauxhall cars have to be imported for assembly and the completed vehicles shipped abroad. At the moment, British manufacturing costs are high due to labour, expensive power, and red tape. Well, the last two of these reasons could be addressed by Government if there was a will. Here in the Midlands, there is plant and equipment available. Again, it is just a question of politics and a determination by Government to encourage a manufacturing base.
It is just a question of realistic commercial thinking added to political will and encouragement. Midland industry will respond.
Russell Luckock is chairman of Birmingham pressings firm
AE Harris