Blast for Tory ‘Revolution’ Clark industrial strategy ‘short on ideas’

GOVERNMENT plans to gear Britain up for a new industrial revolution were branded a “joke” yesterday.

Business Secretary Greg Clark published proposals designed to ensure the UK can cash in on rapid changes in technology.

The Industrial Strategy White Paper includes investment in cutting edge ideas, from robotlike artificial intelligence and driverless cars to ‘green’ sciences, as well as meeting the needs of an ageing population.

There were vows to improve training, encourage research and development and boost spending on roads, rail, housing and faster broadband. A big aim is to tackle Britain’s ‘productivity puzzle’ – how to boost the value of what we produce and address the decline of workers’ wages which have gone into reverse since the financial crisis. Clark declared: “Britain is extraordinarily well-placed to benefit from this new industrial revolution.” Business chiefs applauded it, but critics called it a “missed opportunity” – and GMB union general secretary Tim Roache dismissed the White Paper as “an unfunny joke from a Government that just doesn’t get it”.

Shadow Business Secretary Rebecca Long-bailey said it was “made up of re-announced policies and old spending commitments, showing once again this is a Government short on ideas.

“Nothing here will help give businesses the certainty or incentives they need to invest in the face of the Government’s catastrophic handling of Brexit.”

TUC General Secretary Frances O’grady added: “Ministers have failed to explain how workers will be given a say in the new industrial strategy. They are missing a trick if they don’t listen to the factory floor.”

Business groups welcomed the plan. Carolyn Fairbairn, director general of the CBI, said: “It shows the Government has its eye firmly on the horizon.” Stephen Martin, head of the Institute of Directors, called it “a bold, new approach”.

The publisher of Time magazine Time has been bought for £2.1billion. Inc, which also owns NME, Sports an Illustrated and Fortune, has accepted US rival Meredith Corporation. It offer from was last week forced to deny comes as Time that claim by US...

British Airways owner IAG has reportedly snapped up prized take-off and landing slots at Gatwick Airport after tabling a substantial bid following the collapse of Monarch. The slots at Gatwick and Luton Airport were said to have been worth around...

Productivity matters. Lower productivity means our economy grows more slowly, and that equals lower wages and less money for public services. Since the financial crash, Britain’s productivity has flatlined. We’re behind major competitors like Germany,...