Prime Minister’s strategy for industry wins backing

UK manufacturers and tech companies today threw their weight behind the Government’s new industrial strategy but warned that ministers need to maintain the pressure to shake up the sector.

Prime Minister Theresa May was today setting out a 10-point plan in a consultation paper in an attempt to give the Government a more “active” role in UK industry.

Antony Walker, deputy chief executive of Tech UK, said: “We’re very positive about it. The Government is recognising we need to build capacity and a strategy over time. It shouldn’t be measured on what’s announced today — it’s about building capability over time to work with businesses across different sectors.”

EEF chief economist Lee Hopley said: “Industrial strategy should span over parliaments. This is the start of a process.”

She added the strategy should “not just fall on the shoulders” of the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy but spans different departments.

Mike Hawes, chief executive of carmakers’ group SMMT, said current policies worked well and the new plan “must build on that success, addressing Britain’s weaknesses”.