Advanced Manufacturing will drive our future economy in the UK.
The Sector Plan will ensure the UK’s advanced manufacturing sector is at the forefront of tackling the challenges of our era – from decarbonisation to harnessing AI – and ready to seize new commercial opportunities.
The plan’s ambition is to nearly double annual business investment in the sector, giving UK firms an edge in 6 advanced manufacturing industries of the future (advanced materials, aerospace, agri-tech, automotive, batteries and space), to drive growth across the UK.
From Sarah Jones MP Minister of State for Industry:
“The Government will ensure the UK leads the world, delivering more good jobs, more innovation and more support for this crucial sector. Today, Advanced Manufacturing is the backbone of our economy, directly supporting around 760,000 jobs1 andcontributing more than £82 billion gross value added2 to the UK economy every year. This is an industry that strengthens our national resilience, and drives prosperity
across every region of our country.
“But while we should take immense pride in our many strengths, including our vibrant research landscape and exemplar academic institutions, we must recognise the urgent need to maintain a competitive edge in an era of global competition and rapid technological change.
“Our vision is bold. By 2035, the United Kingdom will be recognised as the best place in the world to start, grow, and invest in Advanced Manufacturing. To deliver this, we will make changes to the business environment, removing barriers to investment and innovation. We will
support our small and medium sized manufacturers, who remain the backbone of the sector, by removing barriers to technology adoption. We will prioritise six frontier industries that will shape the future of manufacturing in the UK.
Our priority sectors are:
• Automotive, building the next generation of Zero Emission and Connected Automated Vehicles.
• Batteries, powering the transition to net zero, backed by landmark investments such as Agratas’ multibillion pound gigafactory project which will create up to 4,000 new jobs.
• Aerospace, pioneering technologies such as Rolls-Royce’s UltraFan™ engines and for Airbus’ new narrow body aircraft, and supporting defence activities.
• Space, driven by increasing economic, national security, defence, and geopolitical interests.
• Advanced materials, with UK manufacturers leading the charge in next-generation components and sustainability.
• Agri-tech, pioneering revolutionary approaches to agricultural productivity and sustainable food production, supporting both domestic and global supply chains.”
