Plan unveiled to boost UK manufacturing and engineering

Politicians must learn the “hard lessons” of the recession and work to reverse the “hollowing out” of Britain’s manufacturing sector, EEF, the trade body for the UK’s manufacturers and engineers, has said.

Launching a manifesto of policy suggestions for all parties, it warned of the dangers of neglecting the businesses it represents.

“The aftermath of such a traumatic meltdown has made the hollowing out of our country’s manufacturing capability – something which has taken place over decades - seem even more unwise,” said Terry Scuoler, EEF chief executive, referring to the financial crisis.

The lobby group launched its five-point plan for policies to help its members after producing research which Mr Scuoler said showed “consumers have woken up to the economic benefits of a strong British manufacturing base”, citing a survey which found that more than 80pc of voters believe strengthening the UK’s industrial base is one of the best ways to help insulate the economy from future financial shocks.

In its Agenda for Government to 2020 document, EEF urged the Government after the next election not to make “change for the sake of change”.

The group is calling for measures in five key areas: boosting skills required by the sector, by increasing the amount of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) specialist schools; introducing “light touch” career guidance as early as primary school level to avoid youngsters shutting the door to a career in engineering at an early age; making the apprenticeship systems less vulnerable to short-term change; providing more funding for innovation so companies are encouraged to develop new products and technologies and the introduction of more certainty to the development of the UK’s long-term infrastructure by establishing an impartial authority to evaluate and recommend plans.

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