By Polly Raymond, 7 April 1999 17:04
NEWS The UK government is to set up a taskforce dedicated to improving the use of IT in UK's struggling manufacturing industry. Late last year, Roger Lyons, head of the Manufacturing, Science and Finance Union (MSF), called for the taskforce in an interview with Silicon.com. He said it is essential that government helps tackle the industry's problems, the biggest of which is the lack of high-tech investment. Lyons explained: "Technology is at the heart of all modern manufacturing processes. IT investment is crucial; it's the building block that determines whether we go forward or whether we decline." Plans to implement the taskforce were finally agreed last week between the MSF and Trade Secretary, Stephen Byers, according to an MSF spokesman. But a formal announcement is yet to be made by the Department of Trade and Industry. The spokesman said: "It's a breath of fresh air. Our aim is to develop those parts of manufacturing where we have a chance at being successful; IT is key to this strategy." Details of the taskforce will be finalised at a summit meeting of public and private sector leaders, to be held by July. The taskforce is expected to be in place by the autumn.
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