UK manufacturing gets public vote of confidence

23 June, 2020

Almost three in four (74%) of the UK public believe that the manufacturing sector stepped up to meet the challenge of supporting the UK as coronavirus took a grip on the nation in March 2020. The same number of respondents (74%) believe that a strategic long-term plan for helping UK manufacturing to be more productive and competitive will help insulate us from future pandemics and go some way to protect UK GDP, of which manufacturing contributes over 17%. Furthermore, three quarters (75%) of the UK public believe more strongly in the importance of the UK manufacturing as a result of coronavirus.

The research also found that nearly 8 in 10 people (76%) are concerned about cheap imported goods in the wake of coronavirus.

The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted global supply chains and resulted in many UK factories switching production to medical devices and products in a bid to help the NHS cope. Manufacturing has taken a central role in the unfolding drama and rarely in recent times has it been the subject of so much media and public attention.

Tom Spencer, MD at Cadence says: “Our snapshot poll sought to delve deeper into what’s behind the media commentary by asking a representative sample of over 2000 UK adults for their opinion on a range of topics raised by coronavirus. The results offer an insight into changing public opinion about the importance and relevance of UK manufacturing.”

More than two in three of those questioned believe that the UK manufacturing sector has risen to the challenge of coronavirus, with just 6% disagreeing with them. “This huge public vote of confidence in our often beleaguered and under-supported sector is just one of several remarkable statistics thrown up by our research,” adds Spencer.

Genuine opportunity

The study, which was carried out in early May 2020, clearly shows that the UK public has swung behind UK industry at a time when many manufacturers have stepped up to support the nation and its much-loved health service.

Steve Brambley, CEO, GAMBICA comments: “The result shows that there is a genuine opportunity for the UK to open a new page in its history as it embarks on the era of digital transformation that will define it for generations to come. It remains to be seen if the pandemic itself, resultant global economic turmoil, and Brexit will distract or divert resources away from an environment that will support the regeneration of UK industry, but this poll makes one thing abundantly clear: the people of the UK stand firmly behind our industry and believe strongly in its future.”

Stephanie Baxter, education policy lead, The Institution of Engineering and Technology, comments: “Engineering often suffers from poor perception so this report shows that UK understanding of manufacturing is good and that will hopefully encourage more young people to go into engineering. Engineering is more than just a subject; it has the potential to change lives for the better. Of course, we can't ignore the recession we're facing, but there are areas of growth – for example, in energy moving towards newer and more sustainable technologies and actually I think what we really need is for young people to be able to think about problems and apply knowledge to practical solutions to things. That's the essence of engineering so I think that will hold people in good stead for whatever jobs they do.”

Paul O’Donnell, head of external affairs, the Manufacturing Technologies Association, says: “I don't think COVID-19 is going to prove to be a decisive fork in the road, but I think it is accelerating a lot of industrial change we were seeing already; whether that's new technologies, decarbonisation or whether in terms of some subsectors that were already facing challenges that are now facing multiplied challenges. I think that companies that are prepared to invest in human capital and technology are more likely to win through.

Vanda Jones, executive director, British Compressed Air society, reflects that, from an industry point of view, the pandemic and Brexit scenarios will result in more companies questioning their supply chains quite carefully. She makes the point that we are all used to goods being delivered from abroad as well as from home-based suppliers, but when the supply chain stops it naturally can have a considerable impact on industry. “So, companies questioning their supply chains and UK government investing in how we can make supply chain improvements is important,” she concludes.

More information is available at www.attitudestoukindustry.co.uk