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date: 28 July 2009

embargo: For immediate release

TUC welcomes major cash boost to Government's industrial strategy

Commenting on the Advanced Manufacturing report, published today (Tuesday) by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said:

'Today's announcement shows that the Government is backing its new industrial strategy - which the TUC strongly supports - with some serious cash.

'High value manufacturing should be at heart of plans to get the UK out of recession. The measures announced today, such as the £45million investment in low carbon technology at Rolls-Royce, will create jobs and boost growth across the country.

'The test of today's strategy is whether it continues to create a significant number of skilled manufacturing jobs in the years ahead.

'We hope this signals the end of 'letting the market decide' - an approach that has cost UK manufacturing its prestige and hundreds of thousands of jobs over the last 25 years.'

NOTES TO EDITORS:

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Contacts:

Media enquiries:
Rob Holdsworth T: 020 7467 1372 M: 07717 531150 E: rholdsworth@tuc.org.uk

Press release (300 words) issued 28 Jul 2009