Industrial growth needs more than Budget promises EDITOR’S COMMENT www.hpmag.co.uk HYDRAULICS & PNEUMATICS October 2026 3 From increasingly intelligent hydraulic systems to more efficient compressed air installations, the opportunities to improve productivity and reduce energy consumption are considerable. ‘ ’ As this magazine goes to press, the Autumn Budget is fast approaching, representing an important test for Prime Minister Andy Burnham and the Chancellor, John Healey. While the detail of the Chancellor’s announcements remains unknown at the time of writing, the real question for Britain’s manufacturing and engineering sectors, including those operating in hydraulics and pneumatics, is whether the Government will create the conditions needed for sustained industrial growth. For a Prime Minister who has placed considerable emphasis on revitalising communities and strengthening the economy beyond Westminster, expectations are understandably high. But turning political ambition into economic reality is rarely straightforward, and the forthcoming Budget will provide an important indication of how the Government intends to deliver on its ambitions. British manufacturers continue to face significant challenges. High energy costs, rising employment expenses, persistent skills shortages and uncertainty over future investment are placing considerable pressure on businesses already competing in demanding global markets. For companies involved in fluid power, whether supplying components, designing systems or providing essential maintenance and repair services, these pressures are particularly relevant. At the same time, industry is being encouraged to embrace automation, digitalisation, artificial intelligence and decarbonisation. These are essential elements of a competitive industrial future, and hydraulics and pneumatics have an important role to play in supporting them. From increasingly intelligent hydraulic systems to more efficient compressed air installations, the opportunities to improve productivity and reduce energy consumption are considerable. However, such improvements require investment, skilled people and, perhaps most importantly, business confidence. And confidence is difficult to build when operating costs remain unpredictable. For engineers the challenges are particularly tangible. Improving system reliability, extending equipment life, reducing downtime and increasing energy efficiency are everyday priorities, often delivered against increasingly constrained budgets. In the hydraulics and pneumatics sector, these priorities can have a significant impact. Poorly maintained hydraulic equipment, compressed air leaks, inefficient system design and ageing components can all contribute to unnecessary energy consumption and lost productivity. Addressing these issues may not attract the headlines associated with major industrial investment, but the cumulative benefits to British industry should not be underestimated. There is a tendency for industrial policy to focus on major new projects, emerging technologies and high-profile investment announcements. While these are undoubtedly important, the Government must not overlook the enormous economic value of maintaining and modernising the industrial infrastructure Britain already possesses. Investment in existing machinery, improved maintenance practices, energyefficient fluid power systems and workforce development can deliver substantial productivity gains without the need for entirely new facilities. The same applies to the transition towards a lower-carbon economy. Industry recognises the importance of reducing emissions, but businesses need a practical and affordable route towards achieving those ambitions without sacrificing international competitiveness. For hydraulics and pneumatics businesses, that means ensuring the technologies, expertise and investment needed to improve system efficiency remain accessible and commercially viable. For Burnham and Healey, the challenge is therefore about more than balancing the nation’s books. It is about demonstrating that the Government understands what businesses need to invest with confidence, improve productivity and create skilled employment. Aaron Blutstein Editor
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