Unite Warns Slump in Car Production Figures Heralds Greatest Crisis for UK Industry

LONDON, February 20 -- The latest car production figures, out today (Friday) and showing that 60 per cent fewer cars and commercial vehicles were made in January compared to the same period last year, underline that the UK car industry is in crisis, says Unite, the country's biggest union.

Commenting on the slump in production, Tony Woodley, Unite joint general secretary said: "The alarm bells are ringing loud and clear. This is simply the greatest crisis to face our car industry. Government has attempted to get the banks to do their job and support business, but money is simply not getting through. Good businesses are now on their knees.

"We need action now to save our car and manufacturing industry. The Government has no other option but to introduce short-term working, keeping people in jobs and off the dole until demand picks up. And they need to act fast to inject cash into the car economy because the banks are failing to do so.

"Our manufacturing companies and skills are world class, and manufacturing is still an engine of our economy, but unless urgent steps are taken now, jobs will be lost in their thousands for good, and the people and communities of this country will suffer for generations to come."

Unite has been pressing since last November for the Government to establish a GBP13 billion strategic assistance package to provide commercial loans and support to alter working patterns through the downturn, similar to the action taken by other car-producing nations to defend their industries.

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