UNION leaders representing thousands of East Lancashire manufacturing workers have called for an interest rate cut.
The Manufacturing Science and Finance Union has warned that more jobs are under threat because of the strength of the pound.
Union leader Roger Lyons has now written to the five members of the Monetary Policy Committee who have consistently voted against cuts in interest rates. Mr Lyons stressed the damaging effects of the strength of the pound on British competitiveness.
He said: "Manufacturing needs a 0.5 per cent cut in interest rates this month or we face another summer of jobs evaporating from all sectors of industry.
"People in industry will be watching the Bank of England closely this week; the MPC must not let them down."
Many of East Lancashire's biggest employers have announced job cuts over the past year blaming the strength of the pound hitting exports.
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