He announced that a renewed manufacturing strategy will look at how the government can help British industry take advantage of opportunities presented by tackling climate change, while ensuring that the UK is at the forefront of developing and manufacturing new green technologies.
Mr. Hutton also unveiled plans for a new Ministerial Advisory Group on manufacturing. The group, which will report to Stephen Timms, Minister for Competitiveness, will include the EEF, CBI and TUC, and will participate in renewing the strategy. It will replace the Manufacturing Forum, set up in 2004, which has been instrumental in helping to steer the manufacturing strategy over the past three years.
The Ministerial Advisory Group will provide expert advice on key areas such as innovation, skills, training, image and low carbon manufacturing - as well as helping government address the full range of issues that are important to the manufacturing sector.
The renewed Manufacturing Strategy will address challenges and pay particular attention to opportunities for Britain to lead global markets created by the need to tackle climate change.
The current Manufacturing Strategy, published in 2002, has proved itself to be a valuable framework of support. The Manufacturing Advisory Service, for example, continues to provide manufacturers with direct access to local, practical advice and hands-on support from experts and has generated £411 million of added value. But we need to ensure that the Strategy continues to meet the needs of our modern manufacturing strength.