UK needs manufacturing - tell us something we didn't know

Don't get me wrong. I share the Government's stated view that the development of skills particularly in the area of advanced manufacturing is not only desireable but is vital to the UK economy.

But I know something similar has be said before - particularly in the run-up to an election - and not much has been done to reverse the UK's slow decline as a manufacturing and engineering focused economy.

May be this time it will be different?

In Lord Mandelson is it possible we have a Business Secretary who at least recognises the problem.

"Over the next decade, Britain's economy is going to need a new wave of private sector investment in long-term business creation and job creation," says Mandelson. "We will need new industrial strengths and we will need to reinforce our position as global leaders in innovative manufacturing and services."

But will he have the opportunity to do anything about it?

History tells us that neither Labour nor the Conservatives have ever really believed that the engineering and manufacturing sectors are "vital" to an economy so dependent on the financial services sector.

One result is the precarious position of the public finances after last year's painful, but necessary banking bail-out  
 
"At the start of the last decade, we warned that the UK's economy was at a crossroad: either we grew our manufacturing base or our economy would suffer," says Steve Radley, director of policy at manufacturers' organisation, the EEF.

After 18 months of recession, the industry is back at the crossroad.