EEF response to Foresight report on future of manufacturing

Commenting on the release of the Foresight report, ‘The Future of Manufacturing: A new era of opportunity and challenge for the UK’, Terry Scuoler, Chief Executive of EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, said: “This comprehensive review of UK industry and its future contribution to the success of the UK economy comes at an important juncture in the UK’s recovery.

"The UK has pockets of great potential and there are some very clear messages for government on how it can act collectively to strengthen the sector’s competitive position in the global economy.

“We strongly support the recommendations to increase support for the Catapult centres and expand SME access to them, and the focus on new sources of finance.

"Critically, all parts of government must recognise that manufacturing will continue to undergo a significant evolution in the coming decades and that policies must adapt and evolve with this transformation. Similarly, the report is a must-read for manufacturers to ensure that they too are prepared for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

“Importantly the spotlight this work shines on the thousands of companies and millions of people that work in the sector tells a great story about how innovation, technology and new ways of working can be harnessed to ensure we remain a strong manufacturing economy.”