GMB London calls on Government to add local dimension to new industrial strategy
It is essential that Government recognises that there has to be regional and geographical dimensions to any successful industrial strategy says GMB London.
GMB London region responded to the publication earlier last week of the new Government industrial strategy. [See notes to editors for copy of the press release from the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy]
GMB London region has published figures for all parts of the region which show the different levels of economic activity by the working age population across the region.
In Harlow 87.1% of the population aged 16 to 64 are economically active. This is the highest in the region. The next 5 are South Cambridgeshire with 86.2%, Dacorum with 86.2%, South Norfolk with 85.6%, Norwich with 85.5% and Bedford with 84.8%.
By contrast the lowest are Tendring with only 68.7% of the 16 to 64 year olds who are economically active, North Norfolk with 69.7%, Luton with 72.6, Maldon with 72.8% and Brentwood with 74%.
The Eastern region economic activity rate is 79.9% and the overall UK figure is 77.7%. The region is the third highest in the UK behind the South West at 80.8% and South East at 80.6%.
Warren Kenny, GMB London region secretary, said
"GMB London region welcome the recognition by the Government that it, on behalf of the citizens, has a role to play in supporting and promoting an industrial strategy to lift economic growth and prosperity in every part of the region.
As the table above shows there are parts of the region where the levels of economic activity by the work age population is way below the levels in the most prosperous parts of the region. This lower level of economic activity is linked to the relative decline in the economies of these areas.
GMB London region is ready to work with all the players across the region to input into Government plans to develop viable industrial strategies for each area.
We need local authorities and elected political figures to take initiatives to bring together employers, unions and educational bodies to feed into this process.
It is essential that Government recognises that there has to be regional and geographical dimensions to any successful industrial strategy. GMB consider this to be essential to bringing the economies of all parts of the region up to the level of the most prosperous parts."
