Farron: Industrial Strategy must be more than rhetoric

The government's new Industrial Strategy is in danger of becoming little more than rhetoric unless the government matches it with real action, according to South Lakes MP Tim Farron.

The government's new strategy, announced today at a regional cabinet meeting in Daresbury near Warrington, highlights broadband, transport and energy, as well as the need to develop skills.

The Government also announced £556m for the Northern Powerhouse, as well as up to £1.8bn of Growth Fund allocations. However, these announcements have been criticised for not containing new money.

Tim said: "The government is right about the need to improve broadband, transport and energy infrastructure, and to develop skills in the workforce. However, it is no good simply coming up with nice words - they must be backed up by real action. Reheating old funding announcements is not a promising start.

"This Conservative government is cutting education spending, slashing support for green industry and failing to invest in infrastructure. On top of this, it wants to pull the UK out of the single market, leaving the prospect of significant export tariffs.

"Without real investment in education and skills, listening to business about the single market and putting their money where their mouth is, the Government's strategy won't be worth the paper on which it is printed.

"Theresa May's decision to hold this meeting in the North West needs to be more than just a symbolic gesture. We desperately need an industrial strategy that works for rural areas as well as big cities."