While implementation will be key, the strategy provides a framework that, if delivered effectively, could help reset the trajectory of UK manufacturing. A strategic turning point for UK industry The launch of the Government’s modern industrial strategy marks a significant moment for UK manufacturing. With the publication of the white paper by the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, Jonathan Reynolds, ministers have taken a clear step towards addressing some of the long-standing structural issues that have impacted the sector’s performance and competitiveness. Make UK, which has long campaigned for a comprehensive industrial strategy, has identified three persistent challenges facing manufacturers: acute skills shortages, high energy costs, and limited access to growth finance—especially for innovative small and medium-sized Editor’s Comment ‘ ’ enterprises (SMEs). The strategy outlines plans to address all three. In particular, the Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan sets out the ambition for the UK to become a global leader in advanced manufacturing. Through targeted support for regional manufacturing clusters, the plan aims to stimulate investment, drive exports, and equip the sector with the skills needed for the future. It signals a shift towards place-based industrial development, with the potential to deliver economic benefits across a wider range of communities. On energy, the Government’s acknowledgement of the uncompetitive costs facing UK manufacturers is notable. With industrial electricity prices often far exceeding those of international rivals, the forthcoming consultation on eligibility for lower rates will be closely watched by industry. Manufacturers will expect swift action to ensure these reforms provide meaningful relief across the sector. Skills, too, remain at the heart of industrial renewal. Government commitments to invest in engineering and tackle the skills gap are welcome, but long-term reforms to the skills and training infrastructure will be critical to match the pace of technological change and evolving business needs. Meanwhile, enhanced funding for the British Business Bank—totalling £7 billion—could improve SME access to finance, a perennial obstacle to innovation and expansion. With SMEs accounting for the vast majority of UK businesses, removing these barriers is essential to unlocking broader economic growth. While implementation will be key, the strategy provides a framework that, if delivered effectively, could help reset the trajectory of UK manufacturing. It reflects a renewed recognition within Government of the sector’s strategic value to the economy—and of the need for sustained, coordinated action to support it. June/July 2025 www.pwemag.co.uk Plant & Works Engineering | 03
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