Manufacturing Framework scrapped

The reversal comes just one week after business minister Mark Prisk (pictured) promised manufacturers a dedicated framework to harness manufacturing growth. Instead Westminster will now publish "intial thinking" from talks with manufacturing firms as part of a discussion framework. A Department for Business spokesman said: "As part of the Advanced Manufacturing growth review we will be publishing a framework for discussion which will be launched in the next few days." He added: "The discussion framework and the evidence we gather over the next few months will feed into the growth review and we will announce policy proposals by the 2011 budget." The government had previously pledged a raft of specific proposals to boost UK manufacturing before the Christmas break. Proposals included reforms to ease the regulatory burden on manufacturers and help tackle the skills gap. What do you think of the government's desicion to put the brakes on the manufacturing farmework? We want to hear your views. Email mgosney@findlay.co.uk