Government told to back North West manufacturing as it bounces back from economic crises

North West manufacturing output has grown by a quarter in the past decade and seen one of the UK's strongest post-pandemic bounces, a new report has shown.

The Make UK/BDO Annual Regional Manufacturing Outlook shows that since 2013 output in the region has increased by 26%, while output in 2023 was 12% above the pre-pandemic levels recorded in 2019.

Make UK says the new government now needs to back the sector with a new industrial strategy to ensure that growth can continue.

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The Make UK/BDO report showed manufacturing accounts for almost 15% of the region’s total output (13.4%), well above the national average. It accounts for 330,000 skilled jobs, amounting to almost 10% of the region’s workforce. The biggest sectors are transport - largely aerospace and automotive - followed by food & drink, and chemicals.