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Neil Foster

Neil Foster

Neil Foster is Policy and Campaigns Officer for the Northern TUC. He joined the TUC in 2010 and works to provide the perspective of working people to regional economic decision-making. Neil also supports trade union reps in identifying the challenges and opportunities of changing public policy as well as assist them to be best equipped to campaign around their trade union priorities. Prior to joining the TUC Neil worked in social marketing & behaviour change, public service redesign, economic development, social enterprise & community regeneration.

Web: http://www.tuc.org.uk/northern
  • Economics

    The fallout from Alcan: We need a better way to do business

    17th November 2011 — Filed under: Economics

    Neil Foster Neil Foster

    As the full social economic implications of the closure of the Rio Tinto Alcan smelter at Lynemouth are digested in Whitehall, it is worth considering what lessons must be learned.

    Yesterday, I highlighted how the cumulative impact of energy policies, including the proposed carbon tax,   has substantially increased costs for Energy Intensive Industries within UK manufacturing. The Alcan aluminium smelter at Lynemouth is one of hundreds of others firms across the UK now exposed to considerable energy cost rises and levies. It is essential that George Osborne announces relief and additional support as soon as is practicable so that other companies aren’t tipped over into choosing closure.

    The second part to the equation is the aggressive profit targets Rio Tinto sets its sites.

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  • Labour market

    Alcan plant to close: The price for inaction on energy

    16th November 2011 — Filed under: Labour market

    Neil Foster Neil Foster

    On the day that North East unemployment hit 11.6% and UK youth unemployment broken through the 1 million mark, Alcan announced that it is to close its aluminium smelter in the region, with the loss of over 500 jobs. The company cites the UK’s high energy costs.

    The TUC and unions in the industry have been warning Government about this risk for two years. The Alcan smelter in Lynemouth, Northumberland,  is the county’s biggest private sector employer. It has been a mainstay of good quality and well paid employment for 40 years in an area still working hard to recover from the devastating closure of deep coal mines. Sited just two miles away from Ashington, once known as Europe’s biggest pit village, Alcan has made a considerable contribution to the local economy during the toughest of times.

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