Dame Hackitt, who is chair of Make UK (formerly known as EEF) was speaking at Make UK’s annual dinner. “I am saddened by the way that some of our politicians have put selfish political ideology ahead of the national interest and people’s livelihoods and left us facing the catastrophic prospect of leaving the EU next month with no deal,” she told the audience.
“Let me be clear for the press and for those hard brexiteers who accuse us of scaremongering. This is very real and very serious. The ninth largest manufacturing economy in the world needs to be assured that our contribution to UK prosperity is recognised and valued."
Hackitt’s comments follow the publication of a Make UK survey which found that 49 per cent of UK manufacturers believe that leaving the EU with ‘no deal’ would make the UK unattractive as a manufacturing location. Just 28 per cent said it would be more attractive.
The survey, which was carried out between 28 January and 5 February and based on responses from 429 companies also found that just nine per cent of companies say they have won business previously sourced overseas since the referendum, highlighting the fact leaving the EU does not appear to be improving prospects for companies.
Other findings show that since the since the referendum in 2016 a number of companies have offshored production. Of those who have done so, almost two thirds (61 per cent) have switched production elsewhere in the EU. Just one fifth of companies (19 per cent) have switched production back to the UK.
Furthermore, of those who have adjusted supply chains a third (35 per cent) have offshored with the EU being the most common destination. A quarter (26 per cent) have reshored production back to the UK, the vast majority of which has come back from the EU.
The survey also shows that adjusting their supply chain has been a costly exercise for companies with over half (51 per cent) saying it has increased their costs with just 10 per cent saying this has reduced their costs. The financial impact of preparing for Brexit is also evident in the fact around half of companies have taken action to stockpile goods or, are considering doing so, with over half (56 per cent) of those who have started stockpiling experiencing some financial difficulty in doing so.
Nanogenerator consumes CO2 to generate electricity
Whoopee, they've solved how to keep a light on but not a lot else.