RAEng report urges ‘place-based approach’ for UK policy

Published in partnership with Metro Dynamics, Engineering Economy & Place explores engineering’s impact at a granular level, collating data from local authorities to help construct a nationwide picture. It found that engineering represents 32 per cent of total national economic output and 26 per cent of jobs across the UK, generating £646bn direct Gross Value Added annually to the wider UK economy.

While the report found a high concentration of value in the South East, several locations across the Midlands, North West and Scotland were also shown to be performing above average, with ‘high-value hidden gems’ also found in South Derbyshire, North Warwickshire and Ribble Valley.

“Engineering is at the core of the UK’s industrial DNA – it is no wonder that we have a proud history of innovation,” said RAEng president, Professor Sir Jim McDonald FREng FRSE.

“This snapshot of the current engineering landscape shows that engineers are drivers of economic opportunity – from R&D to delivering products and services that generate jobs, drive our economy and create value for society. The UK simply cannot become a science and technology superpower without first becoming an engineering superpower. Without a place-based approach to engineering policy, the UK risks maintaining the status quo that currently hinders the potential of its economy – with regional imbalance, city centres disconnected from surrounding areas and untapped capacity for innovation and production.”