Winning the race to the top

The Best Factory Awards help shatter the myth that: 'We don't make anything anymore. It's all gone to China and it doesn't matter if it does because we can make our way in the world by concentrating solely on services.' How wrong that attitude is. On so many levels we remain in the top ten of manufacturing nations. The UK now produces two and a half times the amount of manufacturing goods than we did in 1960. The peak of manufacturing output in this country didn't happen in the Victorian era, but in 2007. Manufacturing mattered in the Industrial Revolution. Factories were literally the engine room of innovation and creativity that changed the world and provided unprecedented levels of prosperity for most of our grandparents and great grandparents. But it's not job over. Manufacturing still matters in the 21st century. It is essential if we are to maintain or improve our standard of living. Having a strong domestic manufacturing base is crucial. We need an ambitious, competitive and innovative manufacturing sector in this country, which emphasises quality and productivity. Selling more goods and services to the rest of the world is a key priority for Ed Miliband's Labour Party. Ed talked in his speech this week in Brighton of his determination to see Britain win in a race to the top. British manufacturing is essential to his economic vision for the future. To help step up the pace, Labour will make as a priority the enhancement and nurturing of manufacturing supply chains, which is why we have asked Mike Wright from Jaguar Land Rover to conduct a review of supply chains. Mike will look at how we create the right environment for long-term manufacturing growth, with particular emphasis on promoting innovation, product development and supporting international links. I hope that WM readers will contribute to this review. Send me your thoughts at: iain.wright.mp@parliament.uki