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 08 August 2007
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Manufacturing Policy

Introduction

Manufacturing in the UK

The success of United Kingdom manufacturing is crucial to our country's prosperity, now and in the future:

  • Manufacturing is a sixth of the economy
  • It's vital for our trading position - being responsible for around two-thirds of all UK exports
  • It generates around 3.5 million jobs directly - and millions more through the supply chain and related services.
  • It's responsible for around 75% of business research & development
  • It's a key generator of productivity in the wider economy, through introducing new products and processes.

Every industry sector in the UK has world-class companies that prove that success in manufacturing comes from constantly innovating and investing in new products, new designs, new materials and new production techniques. But we need more UK companies to move to this level.

The challenge to manufacturers

Globalisation and trade liberalisation mean companies face increasing competition from goods and services produced in lower wage economies. The UK cannot compete on low wages, nor should we want to. The future of UK manufacturing depends on raising investment, and applying science and innovation, best practice and skills to create even better products.

That is why we are working in partnership with industry, trade unions, regional development agencies, and other stakeholders to deliver the Governments' Manufacturing Strategy .The Strategy, launched in May 2002, sets out the actions that we all need to take to create a high value, high skill manufacturing sector capable of introducing new products and processes into our economy, creating new markets, and delivering a huge boost to our prosperity.

Review of the Government's Manufacturing Strategy

In July 2004 we launched a review of the Government’s Manufacturing Strategy Competing in the Global Economy: The Manufacturing Strategy Two Years On.

This provided:

  • An independent review of stakeholder views on the strategy, helping to identify priorities in going forward.
  • A brief overview of the manufacturing sector in the past two years.
  • A set of at-a-glance key performance indicators, designed to monitor the success of the UK manufacturing sector
  • A review of what has been achieved in each of the seven pillars since the original Government’s Manufacturing Strategy was launched in 2002. An action plan, bringing together key themes identified in the review, and identifying the priorities of Government, Business and key stakeholders in going forward.
  • A review of manufacturing in the Devolved Administrations & Northern Ireland  

The review identified the need to establish a new Manufacturing Forum jointly led by Government and Industry to drive forward the Action Plan.

A summary of the document is available in English and in Welsh.

Review of the Government's manufacturing strategy: competing in the global economy, the manufacturing strategy two years onYou can order a copy of this report via the BERR Publications website.

 

Review ofgovernments manufacturing strategy: competing in the global economy, the manufacturing strategy two years on - leafletYou can order a copy of this report via the BERR Publications website.

 

Adolygiad o strategaeth weithgynhyrchu y llywodraethThis version of the report is only available online as download. 

© Crown copyright 2007