UK Finance......
- Thread starter noseall
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The main thing is that we have missed the boat now. Now business is globalised, there is no way the UK can have a sucessfull manufacturing industry again. Look at NI where the lives of thousands of people depend on a couple of wings for a Canadian company selling to a US one. Look at our only major manufacturer BAE laying off thousands because we have run out of orders for a plane they have a small part in not selling any more, because bigger US companies can offer better deals on inferior products.
Foreign companies are incentivised to set up here (did someone say tax breaks or was that another thread?) and those companies do so to trade off the back of past credibility of UK manufacturing. The further forward we go, the less credibilty we have and skill set goes with it.
When Rover (the dregs of the UK car industry) closed and all the machines where shipped off to China along with the brand names, no one gave a toss. Now we get the products of that being imported back to the UK and people are buying that **** just because it has an MG badge and is cheap. People just dont care and dont see what they are doing.
But those same people complained when HSBC (even if it was a foreign bank) closed down a few local banks, and they will complain when Capital One (another foreign bank) shifts it's office to another foreign place.
But those same people complained when HSBC (even if it was a foreign bank) closed down a few local banks, and they will complain when Capital One (another foreign bank) shifts it's office to another foreign place.
Did you see the Top Gear episode when they lined up products from British manufacturers and filled The Mall?
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I agree with woody, car manufacturing along with most of british industrial activity was destroyed by unions in the 70s. Governments hand was to foster an open market strategy that prevented these firms from being protected unlike their european counterparts. That resulted in them being taken over or destroyed. The same applies to most of our critical infrastructure. (e.g. find a UK owned water company).
We do have a successful silicon Fen.
The UK can compete in manufacturing markets, but it will have to be selective.
Germany has a much bigger manufacturing base than us, something like 23% gdp compared to our 11% from memory
The UK can compete in manufacturing markets, but it will have to be selective.
Germany has a much bigger manufacturing base than us, something like 23% gdp compared to our 11% from memory
or, as we also say, "bad industrial relations, disastrous unprofessional management, and a hostile Thatcher"
Look at Ryanair today. A horrible company, whether you're an employee or a customer.
Margaret Thatcher only got into power in 1979. The 1970's union issues hardly had anything to do with her
Ryanair, yes a horrible company but budget airlines have driven down air fares to the advantage of the masses.
I said 'mainly' Thatcher. Heath tried but was less successful and Thatcher vowed revenge.
Whatever your political beliefs, no way can you say that BL, in any of its reincarnations, was well managed.
Whatever your political beliefs, no way can you say that BL, in any of its reincarnations, was well managed.
BL was being run (or should that be run down) by the unions it seemed. The stories recounted jovially about the mass walkouts and disputes over trifling matters sealed the fate of the industy, are grim testament to why we are where we are today.
That demise, and those work ethics which are still ingrained, have little to do with government - except perhaps in a round-about way in terms of education and tackling social attitudes.
In the context of this thread, the UK has been foolish to rely on the financial sector as the sole breadwinner. OK beggers can't be choosers, but there were always going to be new-comers to try and take the financial services away, and there would be little that could be done to stop that as technology and infrasture was developed in foreign lands.
That demise, and those work ethics which are still ingrained, have little to do with government - except perhaps in a round-about way in terms of education and tackling social attitudes.
In the context of this thread, the UK has been foolish to rely on the financial sector as the sole breadwinner. OK beggers can't be choosers, but there were always going to be new-comers to try and take the financial services away, and there would be little that could be done to stop that as technology and infrasture was developed in foreign lands.
No I did not. What was being manufactured important stuff or kettles and toasters?
No, it was all vehicles - Top Gear. I doubt those things are made in Britain.
Fancy leaving it to Clarkson & Co. to praise Britain.
Don't complain that some are now foreign owned; that just emphasises my point.
Was that because of a well paid, happy, well managed work force?
Tory Governments are well known for counteracting things like that.
Q.E.D.
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