07 September 2008
Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS)
 
You are here:
 

UK's Manufacturing Strategy

The Manufacturing, Materials and Environment (MME) Unit of BERR’s Enterprise and Business Group works with industry, trade associations, Regional Development Agencies and others to deliver the Government’s Manufacturing Strategy that coordinates a wide range of support for the sector.

UK’s Manufacturing Strategy

In 2002, DTI published the Government’s Manufacturing Strategy which set out a framework of seven main pillars to help build a successful, knowledge intensive, highly skilled manufacturing sector:

  • Macroeconomic Stability
  • Investment
  • Science and Innovation
  • Best Practice
  • Skills and Education
  • Modern Infrastructure
  • Right Market Framework

The Strategy encompasses a range of support for manufacturing success including investment in science, support for technological innovation & R&D, spreading best practice and enhancing skills development.

In 2004, DTI reviewed the Strategy, publishing an assessment of progress, together with an Action Plan, setting out priorities for the next two years. It has proved to be a valuable framework, including strong support such as:

Manufacturing Strategy Highlights

  • Manufacturing Advisory Service: £490m Added Value, all English Regions plus Wales and Scotland
  • Science Budget ; By 2008 the science budget will be £3.4bn compared to £1.3 bn in 1997/98.
  • Technology Programme: £430m for 600 collaborative R&D projects across 40 technology areas and 22 Knowledge Transfer Networks
  • R&D Tax Credit: £1.9 bn of support: 19,000 SME claims and 3,000 under the large scheme
  • National Skills Academy for Manufacturing: Will train 40,000 people per year by 2012, equipping them with high tech skills. Top companies on board include GKN, Airbus, BAE and Ford.
  • Business Support programmes and support for investment: Small Firm Loan Guarantee, Regional Venture Capital Funds.

Key Performance Indicators

  • The most up-to-date annual Key Performance Indicators enable us to make a qualitative and quantitative assessment of the performance of the UK’s manufacturing sector and help us to monitor the effectiveness of the actions of Government, business and others in supporting the sector. The aim is to provide an ‘at a glance’ view of the current state of UK manufacturing.
Key performance indicators: manufacturingExcel spreadsheet (173KB)

 

© Crown copyright 2008