Letters to the Editor – 13/03 – Made in Britain, Co-op damage, Best of Twitter
Made in Britain
[Re: British manufacturing’s long decline could be about to end, yesterday]
I run a mid-sized contract manufacturing business, and I am busy this weekend transferring production back from China for a good customer. It’s not primarily because of cost or logistics – the product is mostly sold in the US. Manufacturing jobs were lost in the UK because of poor management, poor support from government, and poor training of graduates in the UK. The rebirth is coming from a massive influx of talent from across the world, showing Brits how to run factories, and from people like me (I decided to use my engineering degree to make something).
Jonathan L
The real problem with manufacturing is still energy. Yes, wage costs are levelling. But as Ineos has pointed out, with new nuclear projects like Hinckley Point, we are baking extremely high energy prices into the system. We may be making more cars, but there’s unlikely to be a revival in energy-intensive production like steel making.
Christian Hopkins
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Co-op damage
[Re: Is the Co-op Group now ungovernable?, yesterday]
Claudia Wood contends the public wants to see “diversity in business”. Maybe they do. But before all her beautiful ideas, they want practical, concrete reassurances that money they entrust to the Co-op is safe. As finance director of a nationwide charity, while debates about company structure are fascinating, they do not allay the fears of ordinary business depositors (who are not covered by the deposit protection scheme). Those who opposed Euan Sutherland should consider the wider impact of their intrigues and dangerous interventions. These boardroom squabbles and scurrilous leaks have damaging repercussions.
Henry Broadbent
[Re: The big independence lie: Scotland could keep the pound, yesterday]
A very astute article. Successful Scottish independence hinges on fiscal and regulatory responsibility, regardless of currency or natural resources.
Name withheld
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BEST OF TWITTER
Clegg and Miliband keep saying the EU needs reform. Name a single reform they’ve successfully pursued.
@DanHannanMEP
Miliband’s EU dithering today shows why Labour voters are coming over to Ukip.
@Tim_Aker
Survey: 20 per cent of US CFOs say changes in monetary policy have reduced their optimism, while 17 per cent say their optimism has increased.
@steve_hanke