Engineering news
Industry groups and MPs are calling on the government to set out clearer industrial plans and boost funding to support R&D and exporting ahead of the Treasury’s Autumn Statement.
The chancellor, Philip Hammond, will present the Autumn Statement to parliament on 23 November.
Trade body EEF has called for the statement to contain a “moderate fiscal stimulus package” to boost innovation and export for UK manufacturers. It also wants the government to “push through” more infrastructure projects, such as improvements to digital broadband connectivity and local road building schemes.
Recent figures show that factory output increased by 0.6% in September beating forecasts, but according to the Office for National Statistics over the past year manufacturing output increased by just 0.2%.
Terry Scuoler, chief executive of the EEF said: “The chancellor has a significant opportunity to put a down payment on this through a range of measures which prioritise productivity growth, boost investment in digital technologies and supports exports.
“The government must get behind UK businesses and demonstrate a clear appreciation of the need to back such a strategy, backing sectors while also tackling systemic problems such as skills, energy costs and infrastructure weaknesses.”
Meanwhile, a report produced by Conservative policy group the Free Enterprise Group and released by MP for Havant Alan Mak, has called on the government to produce an industrial strategy that “pivots away from the risk-averse culture created by the EU”.
The Masters of the Revolution report develops the “Eight Great Technologies” industrial strategy produced by government several years ago. It outlines 20 recommendations it says will ensure the UK “can lead the fourth industrial revolution” for “new technologies and products such as driverless cars, artificial intelligence and 3D printing”.
The recommendations include a fast-tracked visa system for high-skilled workers and more research centres in areas such as biomedical and robotics and autonomous systems.
Alan Mak said: “We must build on Britain’s strong track record of innovation to lead the new Fourth Industrial Revolution.
“We need a positive approach to Brexit, taking control of this once-in-a-generation opportunity to both change the direction of our nation, and our thinking in key policy areas like science, technology and innovation. Turning away from the EU’s anti-innovation precautionary principle is vital.”
The move follows the publication of a report in October by an alliance of engineering institutions including the IMechE, Engineering the Future, which recognised the opportunities of Brexit but warned on the impact on skills within industry.