Forging a Powerful Future for Manufacturing
We champion UK manufacturing - and it’s drive for innovation, growth, and resilience through our expert support and bold advocacy.
Manufacturing truly is the engine of the UK economy.
- Contributing £220 billion to GDP.
- Providing 2.6 million jobs, which pay wages, on average, 8% higher than the whole economy.
- Accounting for 48% of UK business R&D and 17% of total investment.
Source: UK Manufacturing: The Facts 2025
The UK manufacturing sector is a global leader and vital pillar of our economy, the UK is now the 11th largest manufacturing economy globally. It’s a sector brimming with potential, with nearly 50,000 roles ready to be filled, and primed for growth.
In 2025, we called on the Government to back the sector by:
- Introducing an industrial strategy that delivers for manufacturers.
- Creating good jobs and shared prosperity.
- Unlocking innovation and accelerating digitalisation.
- Driving decarbonisation and green growth.
Last year marked a milestone for UK manufacturers. After nearly a decade of Make UK campaigning, the Government delivered its first industrial strategy since 2017, promising to tackle long-standing challenges in skills, energy and access to finance.
Through our relentless campaigning at the highest levels of government we also secured wins in many other areas which helped boost jobs, unlock funding for innovation and digitalisation and pave a smoother path towards accessing cheaper, greener energy.
- A new British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme announced to reduce electricity costs by up to 25% for key manufacturing industries from 2027, alongside further support for the most energy-intensive industries through the British Industry Supercharger.
- A series of apprenticeship and skills reforms, including greater flexibility on the length of apprenticeships, the removal of English and maths requirements for adult learners, and steps towards a new Growth and Skills Levy funding model.
- Major new commitments on access to finance, including up to £4.3bn in funding for Advanced Manufacturing and additional support for scale-ups through the British Business Bank.
- Expansion of the Made Smarter Adoption programme for SMEs, and funding for robotics to support digitalisation across the UK.
- Progress on trade and tariffs, including commitments to remove the 25% tariffs on steel and aluminium goods and reduced rates for UK car exports to the US.
- Changes to the Zero Emission Vehicle Mandate, giving manufacturers greater flexibility in meeting the 2030 deadline, including small manufacturers now exempt from some regulatory targets.
- And much more...
Last year's campaigns secured policy victories that fortify the future of the manufacturing sector, as well as its resilience and growth - and we're looking to achieve even more in 2026:
Our 2026 Campaigns
Making the Industrial Strategy a Reality
Make UK has long called for the creation of a sustained, modern, industrial strategy. Now, in 2026, we are focused on ensuring that the Government’s Industrial Strategy is implemented in full and delivers for manufacturers. This means tackling long-standing challenges like skills shortages, high energy costs and access to finance, so businesses can invest with confidence and drive growth, even amid economic uncertainty.
Setting out a 10-year Vision for the Future of UK Manufacturing
In 2026 - Make UK's 130th year - we will set out a bold decade-long vision for the future of UK manufacturing. Anchored in the themes of Make UK's 2026 National Manufacturing Conference on March 3, the vision will set out how manufacturing can drive growth, innovation and resilience, and provide a clear roadmap for industry and government to secure a globally competitive UK manufacturing base.
Making the UK a Competitive Place to do Business
In 2026, Make UK will focus on tackling the pressures undermining manufacturers’ competitiveness, from high energy costs and complex regulation to trade frictions and skills shortages. The campaign will champion practical policies to reduce the cost of doing business, improve access to skills and labour, and strengthen trading conditions at home and abroad.
Working with government and industry, Make UK will aim to restore confidence, unlock investment and ensure the UK is a competitive place for manufacturers to grow and thrive.
We are Backing #UKmfg
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We give our members a voice and enable manufacturers to connect, share and solve problems together. Our members meet like-minded others, facing the same issues. They gain insight, support and meet new suppliers.