As we move in to the summer and 12 months on from the 2024 general election, the government is publishing a number of strategies that will influence the environment for UK manufacturing and SMEs over the coming months and years, at minimum in terms of government programmes and support. With more documents still to come, we have pulled together a short list those most relevant for Made in Britain and UK manufacturing companies.
This is intended to be a simple overview to raise awareness amongst Made in Britain companies, as opposed to being advice that all companies should read them page-by-page, or suggesting that this be an exhaustive list, or a detailed analysis.
We will continue to share with Made in Britain companies what we see as most relevant, through the Made in Britain news webpage, emails and newsletters.
For more details or any queries, please get in touch with us at trade@madeinbritain.org.
Industrial Strategy
The UK’s new Industrial Strategy is a 10-year plan aimed at driving investment in eight high-growth sectors, including advanced manufacturing, clean energy, and digital technologies. It seeks to provide greater certainty and regulatory stability for businesses to invest and scale up across the UK.
For manufacturers, the strategy directly targets long-standing issues such as high energy costs, planning system delays, and the need for improved skills and R&D investment. It also introduces a clearer direction of travel for procurement, regional development, and investment commitments.
Key commitments include a 25% reduction in electricity costs for energy-intensive industries from 2027 through a new British Industrial Competitiveness Scheme; £1.2 billion per year for skills training until at least 2028; and an expanded British Business Bank lending capacity of £25.6 billion. The strategy also pledges to reduce grid connection wait times and expand UK supply chain capability in key sectors.
Read more about the Industrial Strategy
Advanced Manufacturing Plan
The Advanced Manufacturing Sector Plan is one of the eight sector-specific plans under the Industrial Strategy. It sets out how the government will help UK advanced manufacturing to grow, attract investment, and scale frontier technologies.
The plan focuses on opportunities for UK manufacturers to supply into growth sectors like aerospace, automotive, agri-tech, batteries, and advanced materials. It emphasises the role of domestic UK supply chains in building capacity and resilience and it aims to attract international investment and create high-quality jobs across the UK.
Headline commitments include £4.3 billion of support for advanced manufacturing, with £2.8 billion ringfenced for R&D. The plan includes continued support for Made Smarter and regional robotics hubs, helping SMEs adopt automation and advanced processes. Targeted interventions are also set out for materials innovation, space and satellite manufacturing, and low-carbon industrial technologies.
Read more about the Advanced Manufacturing Plan
UK Trade Strategy
The UK’s first Trade Strategy since leaving the EU provides a long-term framework to support UK exports, reduce trade barriers, and help businesses access global markets. It sets out a more agile, modern trade policy focused on both goods and services.
For manufacturers, the strategy reinforces the importance of international competitiveness and commits to more tailored export support, improved export finance, and increased access to government trade tools and platforms. Supply chain transparency and standards also feature prominently.
Practical measures include an expanded UK Export Finance capacity of £80 billion, the creation of a new “Ricardo Fund” to reduce market access barriers, and sector-specific trade campaigns for priority markets. The strategy also promotes faster certification, digital trade tools, and mutual recognition to help UK products move more easily across borders.
Read more about the Trade Strategy
Small Business Strategy – Coming Soon
The government’s forthcoming Small Business Strategy is expected to outline how it will support SME productivity, growth and resilience. It will provide a joined-up approach to business support across finance, skills, procurement and regulatory guidance.
For UK SMEs, this strategy is likely to set out clearer access routes to public procurement, innovation programmes and export readiness support. It is being developed in response to consultations held earlier this year.
The final version has not yet been released and we will update Made in Britain members as soon as the full strategy is published.
[Check back soon for updates]
There is a range of other strategies that have been or will soon be published, for example on National Security and further Public Procurement Reform. However, consider the above listed as the most relevant, across UK manufacturing and sectors.
If you would like more details on any of the themes within this email, of Made in Britain’s work with government more generally, please email: trade@madeinbritain.org.
By Made in Britain 2 days ago | Government & Supply Chains