Poll suggests government is failing to promote UK manufacturing
The results of a survey commissioned by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) suggest that the government is failing to promote UK manufacturing and remains more committed to the financial sector than UK industry.
Only 17% of manufacturers surveyed said they felt the government was performing well, while 35% said they felt less confident about the future of manufacturing – compared with 23% last year.
In the strongest result of the survey, 73% of manufacturers polled said the government was not doing enough with careers advice to promote science, engineering and manufacturing in schools – with 55% of the public agreeing.
In a poll of 1,000 members of the public, 53% said the uncertainty of surrounding the UK's future in the EU is negatively affecting UK manufacturing, and only 19% believe Coalition policies are helping UK manufacturers.
Philippa Oldham, head of manufacturing at the IMechE, said: "We have welcomed the interest shown in UK manufacturing by the main party leaders in recent months, but visits to factories and warm words of encouragement are not enough.
"Government must set out a clear, long-term industrial strategy with cross-party support. This strategy must look to address the engineering skills shortage and provide greater financial incentives similar to the research and development tax credits already implemented."
