
EEF’s chief exec, Terry Scuoler, said: “After such a traumatic period following the financial crash of 2008 we are now at a crucial stage for our economy, with confidence on the rise and a long-overdue recovery in UK business investment. This is delivering stronger growth, boosting job creation and enabling more companies to develop overseas markets.
“Let us not pretend, however, that we are seeing the better balanced growth we need for the long term, which still remains a long way off. Business has a crucial role to play, but government must also be a collaborative partner.” 1. Skills Always a concern for most businesses, skills have been a particular issue for manufacturers, who typically require specialist expertise. EEF wants to see the maintenance of a robust apprenticeship system, increased numbers of teaching specialising in STEM subjects and a less costly and complex immigration system for SMEs to deal with.- Include funding for innovation within an expanded science and innovation ring-fence, with a commitment to increase the combined budget in real terms by the end of the next Parliament
- Commit to sufficient funding for the existing network of Catapult Centres to ensure they remain cutting edge and work to encourage higher levels of engagement with SMEs
- Longer-term, develop a framework for regular assessment of the breadth of science and innovation support to ensure all schemes remain well-directed and adequately funded.
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