Speaking at the Manchester forum, Tony Burke, assistant general secretary of Unite, told of the importance of manufacturing in the current economic climate.

He said: "Unite cannot emphasise enough the vital role our manufacturing sector must play, driving us through difficult economic times and ensuring that we come out the other end stronger and fitter.

"We know that manufacturing cannot do it alone and unsupported."

In his speech, Burke was keen to praise the government's recent strategy for manufacturing and its newly announced support for public procurement. However, he was less glowing on its record with training.

Burke criticised the government for not ensuring that training leave is a statutory right. Unite has called for employees to receive full pay while undertaking training leave.

He said: "There is a desperate need for improved skills and training and that is why we have been pushing the government to introduce sector training levies where industry sectors fail to deliver, such as the printing industry."