The UK manufacturers’ organisation EEF has published a new factcard outlining how Government must support manufacturers’ growth ambitions by making the UK a more internationally competitive location for industry.

The factcard outlines what the EEF considers to be the gaps in the recent green paper and says industry will be looking to government to fill these gaps in the final draft expected before the end of 2017 to ensure the strategy is robust and delivers on expectations.

Key statistics from the fact card include:

  • 92% of manufacturing companies plan to increase their innovation efforts
  • 78% have enhanced co-operation across their supply chain to improve processes
  • Only 8% of British manufacturers believe the UK has specific policies to support manufacturing growth, while 65% say Germany has
  • The UK is the 8th largest manufacturing nation by output
  • Manufacturing productivity is growing at three times the UK economy average

The EEF says “An industrial strategy will need to be cognisant of, and responsive to, all sectors that want to innovate and grow. But in addition to that, there will always need to be special attention given to businesses in new sectors and new capabilities. These will deliver a competitive advantage or help the UK meet societal aims or overcome challenges.”

They ask that the government addresses the gaps that they have identified:

  • A clearer vision of what success looks like, with stronger metrics
  • Greater focus on the cost of doing business
  • More detailed guidance on sector deals
  • Local Enterprise Partnerships to be tasked with being the Deal makers for Devolution Deals to help foster more industrious places
  • Clarity on how cross-government collaboration and policy consistency will be achieved

For more details, visit: www.eef.org.uk/industrialstrategy