§ Mr. Stephen O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry by how much employment in manufacturing has changed in each of the last six years; and if she will make a statement. [140951]
§ Ms HewittThe following table shows changes in manufacturing employment in each of the last six years.
Manufacturing employee jobs (1997 to 2003) June Employee jobs(000s) Change on the previous year (per cent.) 1997 4,191 1.3 1998 4,209 0.4 1999 4,060 -3.5 2000 3,960 -2.5 2001 3,808 -3.8 2002 3,628 -4.7 2003 3,502 -3.5 Source:
Office for National Statistics, Department of Trade and Industry
A trend of declining manufacturing employment has been a feature of advanced economies over the last 30 years. Overall the UK labour market is performing well, with total employment rising by nearly 1.7 million since Spring 1997, and unemployment falling in every region.
We published the Government's Manufacturing Strategy in May 2002—the first such strategy for 30 years—which we developed in partnership with industry, trade unions and other stakeholders, following a summit 816W meeting on the challenges facing manufacturing held in December 2001. The Manufacturing Strategy aims to create a high value manufacturing sector in the UK with a highly skilled well paid workforce, moving away from competing on the basis of low skill and low wages.