MANUFACTURERS WARN THAT SME VOICES ARE BEING SIDELINED IN POLICYMAKING
Made in Group has warned that the Autumn Budget once again demonstrates how the concerns of small and family-owned manufacturers – the backbone of Britain’s industrial base – are not being heard in Westminster.
Jason Pitt, Made in Group CEO, says the Budget places a disproportionate burden on smaller industrial firms while offering little meaningful support in return.
“The Chancellor speaks of ‘each of us doing our bit’, but invoking a spirit of shared national effort rings hollow when SMEs are being asked to shoulder the lion’s share,” he says. “These businesses are the backbone of British manufacturing, yet they were not consulted and have not been supported.
He adds; “Wage increases will once again hit companies recruiting entry-level and shop-floor roles, and the energy-saving measures fall far short of what’s needed to support the vast majority of UK manufacturers. Coupled with the additional tax burdens, manufacturers are being left with even less room to invest in machinery, technology, skills and carbon-reducing upgrades.”
Earlier this year, the government set out its ambitions for the UK to become the best place for advanced manufacturing by 2035. Made in Group argues that this vision will only be realised if small manufacturers are genuinely involved in shaping the policies that affect them.
“SMEs are central to the UK’s industrial and economic growth, but once again the Budget has left small business owners feeling hammered by rising costs, limited support and no clear path forward,” Jason says. “Government ambition relies on SMEs to deliver it, but they’ve failed to provide the stability and certainty required to turn ambition into reality.”
Representing manufacturing and engineering businesses across the Midlands, Yorkshire and the South West, Made in Group is the UK’s fastest-growing membership network, with 85% of member companies being owner-managed small and medium-sized enterprises.
It is calling for a more deliberate, long-term approach to supporting British industry. This includes a fairer procurement landscape and a national Buy British policy that gives domestic manufacturers a meaningful opportunity to compete for public contracts.
Research from the Centre for Local Economic Strategies (CLES) shows that £1 spent locally generates up to four times more value than the same pound spent with a multinational – meaning that buying British supports a broader ecosystem of regional prosperity.
“As a country, we cannot keep overlooking the firms that anchor regional economies, provide high-quality jobs and supply the foundations of every major sector,” Jason says. “It is imperative that the concerns of SME and family-owned manufacturers are fully recognised in policy, public debate and the delivery of the UK’s Industrial Strategy.”
On December 4th, representatives from than 100 Made in Group members will visit Westminster to present an industry-backed letter setting out three clear asks: fairer energy pricing, a level procurement playing field, and a more deliberate Buy British approach.
“UK manufacturing cannot grow with one hand tied behind its back,” Jason concludes. “If Britain wants a globally competitive, innovative and resilient industrial sector, it must start listening to the manufacturers who form its foundation. Small businesses aren’t asking for special treatment, only a seat at the table and a strategy that recognises their importance. Without that, the gap between UK industry and international competition will continue to widen.”