Third of manufacturers have not seen any levelling up
Written by First Choice Radio on 19 April 2022
That’s according to a survey by Make UK
Almost a third of manufacturers do not believe the Government’s plan to “level up” is happening and have yet to see any tangible benefit to their business, new research suggests.
A survey indicated that disenchantment towards levelling up is particularly pronounced in those regions the Government is aiming at, including the North East, Yorkshire & the Humber, East Anglia and the North West.
One in four of 225 firms surveyed by Make UK said they want to see the Government prioritise support for skills training to create better job opportunities.
The manufacturing organisation said regional mayors should be empowered and given responsibility for levelling up funds to rebalance the UK economy.
One in five companies questioned said upgrading local transport infrastructure was key to levelling up in the regions.
Ben Fletcher, of Make UK, said: “Manufacturing has a proven track record of bringing huge amounts of inward investment, prosperity and well-paid jobs across the whole of the UK.
“Key to delivering this is for Government to give us a much-needed national manufacturing plan to concentrate growth in those areas which need investment the most, and where there are the people ready and waiting to take up the new jobs the manufacturing sector could provide.
“Boosts to infrastructure and skills are clearly needed and a dramatic improvement of digital connectivity will allow companies from the whole of the UK to compete successfully on the global stage and deliver true levelling up for all.”
Published: by Radio NewsHub
