Latest editorial
Waiting for the grander vision to emerge
THE threatened closure of the Appledore ship yard, which has lost the contract to build two navy frigates, looms large in the minds of the yard’s workers and those in its supply chain.
Unite’s Steve Turner put it in context: “The loss of the contract to Italian yard Fincantieri has exposed the vulnerability of the Appledore site, while government delays to the Type 31e frigates and an obsession with offshoring the construction of three fleet support ships for our naval carrier fleet is threatening jobs across the UK.”
Building a skills base for a large modern manufacturing economy creates a virtuous circle in which the collective social investment in education and training pays off in raised technical, scientific and cultural levels, raised expectations in children and young people that a worthwhile career is available and diversified and productive local economies.
Only an ambitious programme of state-led investment can restore growth and improve living standards, argues MICHAEL BURKE
Expanding Britain’s nuclear capability increases the risk of nuclear confrontation. It does not keep us safe – it makes us a target, argues CAROL TURNER
If the government really wanted to address public finances, improve living standards and begin economic recovery, it would increase its borrowing for investment, argues MICHAEL BURKE
US tariffs have had Von der Leyen bowing in submission, while comments from the former European Central Bank leader call for more European political integration and less individual state sovereignty. All this adds up to more pain and austerity ahead, argues NICK WRIGHT