Justin Tomlinson MP visits Mini in Swindon
Justin Tomlinson MP today welcomed the Government campaign ‘Make it in Great Britain’ to transform outdated opinions of UK manufacturing. The campaign will culminate in an exhibition during Games time that will celebrate the successes of the manufacturing sector, challenge inaccurate views of manufacturing and encourage young people to consider a career in the industry.
Business Secretary Vince Cable launched the campaign this week, “Despite popular belief, Britain still does make things and has outstanding manufacturing companies, large and small. Our world-beating companies have an excellent reputation for innovation. I want our young people and those who hold outdated views of British manufacturing to see that reality. That’s why we’re launching the Make it in Great Britain campaign.”
Over the past three weeks the Government has announced £140million of investment in manufacturing to end 13 years of decline in manufacturing under Labour.
The launch of the campaign comes after a fortnight of activity, highlighting the importance of manufacturing to the economy and, through the Government’s ‘See Inside Manufacturing’ initiative, encouraging young people to consider a career in modern manufacturing.
Other recent announcements centred on manufacturing included:
- Vince Cable announcing a new £140 million Advanced Manufacturing Technology Innovation Centre on the 11 October.
- The Prime Minister opened a new £400m factory making carbon-fibre wings for Airbus' new A350 airliner.
- The Deputy Prime Minister and Business Secretary announced £4.8 million of private sector and Regional Growth Fund investment in renewable manufacturing in Huddersfield on Thursday 13th October.
- On Friday 14th October Mark Prisk, Minister for Business and Enterprise, launched the new national Manufacturing Advisory Service which could help create £1.5bn in economic growth, 23,000 jobs and safeguard 50,000 jobs.
Justin Tomlinson MP is supporting the ‘Make it in Great Britain’ campaign and is calling on manufacturers in Swindon to get involved. As part of the campaign Government is looking for UK manufacturing champions to help overturn the persistent myth that Britain ‘has no manufacturing industry’. Vince Cable has called on manufacturers across the country to help Government find up to 30 ‘industry champions’ to take part in, and support the Make it in Great Britain campaign.
Justin Tomlinson MP said “Manufacturing can boost the economy if we help manufacturers to grow and export.
“The Government has announced more than £140million investment in manufacturing in the last month and is turning back the tide after 13 years of decline under Labour but its not just about spending, we need to dispel the myth that ’we don’t make anything in the UK anymore.
“I am encouraging everyone involved in manufacturing in Swindon, whether they are business owners, designers, engineers, plant operators or even apprentices to support the campaign by putting themselves forward as manufacturing champions. With their help, we can modernise people’s views of manufacturing.”
The industry champions will be knowledgeable about manufacturing and will play an important role in challenging the current myths about UK manufacturing. They will identify and publicise British manufacturing successes and act as advocates for the campaign and the future of British manufacturing.
In nominating the Honda Civic, Justin Tomlinson MP said "The new Honda Civic would be my nomination for the Made in Britain initiative. This car has just been launched at Frankfurt Motorshow and is due to go on sale to customers in the new year. The 3,500 Honda associates working in Swindon, as well as their suppliers and the local community, should be very proud of this new model, since this car is only made here in Britain, yet shall be shipped to over 60 countries worldwide. With no mother plant in Japan producing this car, it demonstrates the expertise and skilled workforce that Honda has here in Swindon."
Nominate your industry champion at www.bis.gov.uk/makeitingreatbritain