Working to make the case for a strong UK manufacturing sector
A better future is one where our economy is growing faster so that everybody, everywhere across our union has new opportunities for better paying good jobs. Prime Minister, Rishi Sunak.
Joining the Centre for Social Justice, I and a number of industry representatives considered the question: "Does Britain manufacture anything anymore, and does it really matter?"
I argued that yes - it really does matter. The UK is the 9th largest manufacturer in the world, 50% of everything we export has been manufactured here, and manufacturing offers good and well-paid jobs. The steel industry typically pays around 50% more than the median wage.
Just as importantly, having a thriving manufacturing sector has a human level of importance. For example, Stocksbridge is a town built around steel. The local steel industry built much of its social infrastructure, the football club, the golf club, but it also helped embed a sense of community endeavour and a shared purpose and identity.
I also talk about the challenges our local manufacturers face, not just in recruiting young people, but also in competing in a global market. I note that commodity steel manufacture in this country is simply unprofitable. That's why the recent announcement of cheaper energy for UK manufacturing industries is so important and why we must make sure we trade on a level playing field.
There is no such thing as a free market, and if every other country is supporting their foundational manufacturing industries, like steel, why aren't we?
I conclude by calling on the Government to recognise the need to invest more in our foundational industries, such as steel, to do more to support our businesses, and to help apprentice programmes be seen as an attractive career path for local people.
I've been working in Parliament to make the case for a strong UK manufacturing sector and am proud of the support I've helped to secure for industries like steel. But speaking to local businesses it is equally clear that we must keep improving apprenticeship schemes which provide the pathways into the successful, high paid jobs that manufacturing can provide.
What we make here matters, it matters not just to local communities but also to the 2.5 million people who work in UK manufacturing.
Read the CSJ Report: Making the Change | a Plan to Reboot British Manufacturing and Restore Growth.
