Britain's manufacturers are calling on the next Government to
match their ambition for growth with a bold economic vision that
puts the importance of the economy across every Ministerial
portfolio.
Publishing its manifesto Make UK believes that the centrepiece of
this vision must be a bold, long-term industrial strategy
announced within the first hundred days, along with four other
specific policy measures. In particular, this strategy must
embrace a skills revolution throughout the education and training
system to provide future talent, as well as the upskilling and
re-training of the current workforce.
According to Make UK, such a vision is essential given the huge
changes in the policy landscape, the need to shock the UK economy
out of its anaemic holding pattern and, take advantage of the
opportunities provided by rapidly accelerating technologies,
investment in infrastructure and the move to a greener economy.
A policy framework for the economy beyond 2030 is also essential
to counter the march of the US and China in green technologies in
particular, as well as the need to make the UK as attractive a
destination as possible for investment given the rate at which
other countries are gearing up.
The five specific measures Make UK is calling for in the first
hundred days of the next Government are:
1. Announce a long-term modern Industrial Strategy to underpin
all economic policymaking which has cross Government commitment.
This should be backed by the re-introduction of an Industry
Strategy Council and a new Cabinet Office backed Committee to
ensure the implementation of the Strategy across Government
2. Align the UK CBAM (Carbon Border adjustment Mechanism) with
the EU CBAM in terms of timescale and design to provide a level
playing field with the EU
3. Commence a root-and-branch review of the Apprenticeship
Levy as a funding mechanism, as well as the wider apprenticeship
system
4. Re-establish an updated, modern Manufacturing Advisory
Service
5. Establish a mechanism for ongoing and active consultation
with industry to decide where it is appropriate to maintain
alignment with EU regulatory changes or, where opportunities for
divergence might apply
Commenting, Make UK CEO, Stephen Phipson, said:
“The policy landscape in which manufacturers operate has changed
significantly in recent years and more changes are yet to come,
from the transition to net zero to rapidly accelerating and
game-changing technological change. To keep up with these
changes and, take advantage of the many opportunities ahead, not
to mention the threats from other countries we need a vision from
the next Government which recognises the scale of these
challenges.
“This vision must include a long-term, robust, modern industrial
strategy that will withstand political chop and change and goes
beyond 2030. Any plan should go beyond parliamentary cycles,
be cross Government, and be driven by industry, for industry.”
According to Make UK, the overall economic vision should be
driven by ten key themes which are included in the manifesto.
These are:
- A long-term and robust industrial strategy
- Maximising the opportunities of a net zero economy
- Grow and develop future manufacturing talent
- Retrain and upskill the current workforce
- Unlock innovation, support commercialisation and accelerate
digital adoption and automation
- Create the right conditions for business to invest
- Boost manufacturing exports across the globe (anything about
EU barriers?)
- Invest in physical and digital infrastructure
- Build the Future Factory with AI
- Make supply chains more resilient
ENDS
Manufacturing. The Facts
- Manufacturing companies alone account for almost half (49%)
of all UK exports, amounting to £290+ billion worth of goods.
- The UK manufacturing sector delivers c.£200bn a year in gross
value-added output.
- Manufacturing firms provide 2.6 million jobs with average
wages 9% higher than the rest of the UK economy.
- The total percentage of GDP contribution from manufacturing
firms extends to 23% when accounting for the wider indirect
activities generated across supply chains.
- Every £1 the manufacturing industry contributes supports
another £1.80 in the wider economy[1].
About Make UK
Make UK, The Manufacturers' Organisation, is the representative
voice of UK manufacturing, with offices in London, Brussels,
every English region and Wales.
Collectively we represent 20,000 companies of all sizes, from
start-ups to multinationals, across engineering, manufacturing,
technology and the wider industrial sector. Everything we do –
from providing essential business support and training to
championing manufacturing industry in the UK and the EU – is
designed to help British manufacturers compete, innovate and
grow.
From HR and employment law, health and safety to environmental
and productivity improvement, our advice, expertise and influence
enables businesses to remain safe, compliant and future-focused.
