Vote Manufacturing Campaign petitions Downing Street24 March 2010

The Vote Manufacturing Campaign, launched by Findlay Media with the support of the ERA Foundation and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers has increased pace with the announcement of an online petition to 10 Downing Street.

The campaign, which was the result of discussions by industry leaders at The Future of UK Manufacturing Summit, urges everyone associated with manufacturing industry to get involved.

Campaign director, Ed Tranter, said: "The Downing Street Petition is an opportunity to address the Prime Minister directly with the concerns of the manufacturing industry. By signing the petition, we can highlight the key issues that need immediate attention and demand that these are put into action. I urge everyone who believes in manufacturing to support the cause and make their vote count."

Show your support by clicking here.

The petition
The Future of UK Manufacturing Summit believes five key issues need immediate attention.

Skills:
Priority programmes for vocational and academic education are needed now to improve the level of professional and technical skills.

Energy costs:
UK companies pay more for energy than their European counterparts. This disadvantage must be removed in order to promote competitiveness.

Simplified incentives:
Access to grants, credits, taxes and regulations is too complex and must be rationalised to incentivise research, innovation and investment.

Political consensus:
A long term commitment is needed from Westminster, Whitehall officials and the Treasury in order to rebuild the UK's manufacturing base for future prosperity.

Culture change:
Manufacturing suffers from an overwhelmingly negative image. A sustained campaign must be mounted to persuade the country – especially parents, teachers, students and the media – that manufacturing is essential and worthwhile.

Chris Shaw

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