EEF comments on Community Innovation Survey

Commenting on today’s Community Innovation Survey from the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills, Felicity Burch, Senior Economist at EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, said: “The Community Innovation Survey shows once again that manufacturers are amongst the most innovative companies in the whole economy.

"This is good news for the sector as innovation is key to competing both at home and in fast growing export markets.

"The survey shows that innovative companies continue to focus on improving quality and working with customers in order to give themselves an edge.

“Nonetheless, companies still face a range of barriers. Access to expertise and facilities, as well as keeping costs under control, are key issues for innovative manufacturers.

"Recent policy interventions such as the introduction of Catapult centres and continuing improvements in the R&D tax credit are a step in the right direction and we are looking for government to cement this in its review of science and innovation policy this year.”