Manufacturing critical to British economy

MANUFACTURING is critical to the future of the British economy, according to MP for Sheffield Central Richard Caborn as he addressed members of the British Manufacturing Plant Constructors’ Association (BMPCA).

Mr Caborn, who was recently appointed Gordon Brown’s ambassador for the 2018 World Cup, said that the UK could become the ‘factory of the world for green energy’ at the annual event in London.

He also highlighted that the Prime Minister’s new National Investment Corporation and its £1bn investment fund will provide a kick-start for a manufacturing renaissance in low-carbon energy technologies such as nuclear, renewable and ‘clean coal’ power.

Mr Caborn said: “With this kind of investment, British manufacturing can get a head start on other countries.

“We already know how to use these technologies and it is about making them more efficient to take us forward into a greener age. So, we are not starting from scratch – we have the skills and knowledge of how to make this plant. We must advance on what we already have and make Britain a leader in world manufacturing to supply future energy needs.”

Kevin Parkin, BMPCA chairman and managing director of Sheffield heavy engineering company DavyMarkham, said: “Britain is still the world’s sixth largest manufacturer, with some 150,000 producers generating around £500bn annually and to maintain this global status industry needs an inflow of skilled young people who have acquired core technology and engineering skills through their secondary education.”