Today, Labour launch a wide-ranging consultation with businesses, trade unions, the third sector, the public and others about the priorities, interventions, institutions and processes that will shape our industrial strategy. Led by Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, Clive Lewis MP, and Shadow Minister for Industrial Strategy, Chi Onwurah MP, the consultation will be open for six weeks and invites contributions on a broad range of questions crucial to the future of Britain’s economy. These are set out on the consultation website, http://www.labourbeis.org/

The consultation follows a speech delivered by the Shadow Business Secretary last year, in which he committed a future Labour Government to ensuring 60 per cent of our energy comes from low carbon or renewable sources by 2030, and promised that achieving this goal would boost UK competitiveness in green energy industries and create good jobs in post-industrial areas.

An Industrial Strategy Green Paper was promised by the Tory Government last September but has been repeatedly delayed.[2]

Clive Lewis MP, Labour’s Shadow Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, said:

“From our world class universities to our talented population, Britain has enormous strengths. But we are not currently realising our full potential. Starved of investment, productivity trails behind our rivals, and our balance of payments deficit presents a mounting threat. For too long, the benefits of growth have not been shared across the country. Only a bold, transformative industrial strategy can fix these problems.

“Last year I set out Labour’s vision for a high-skill, high-wage, high-productivity economy, and promised that Labour will work in partnership with business and trade unions to develop an industrial strategy that will bring good jobs to every corner of the country. This consultation will help us develop the specific policies and interventions to make this vision a reality. I urge everyone to get involved – together we can deliver an economy that is stronger, fairer, and sustainable.”

Chi Onwurah MP, Labour’s Shadow Minister for Industrial Strategy, said:

“We need an industrial strategy to deliver the high-skill, high-wage economy the British people want.

“Whilst the Government dithers around Tory party internal politics, Labour is getting on with the job. Our industrial strategy will be challenge-led, mission-orientated, values-driven and reflect the contributions of stakeholders large and small. Please get involved and have your say on the jobs of the future.”