Opinion: How does the label ‘Made in Britain’ help our economy?

And with the government pledging more than £2bn to develop the UK manufacturing base, the relevance of British manufacturing and its connection to the health of the economy is back at the forefront of conversation.

With 57 per cent of Brits fearful of another recession this year, this investment is needed. As MAKE UK’s Executive Survey 2025 reveals – despite current challenges surrounding rising costs and industry changes – the UK is still a highly beneficial and competitive place to do business, with opportunities far outweighing the risks.

As of September 2024, government statistics show that UK manufacturing accounted for 8.8 per cent of our total economic output, as well as 8.1 per cent of our overall employment levels, making the manufacturing sector responsible for 2.7 million jobs.

As the previous apprentice levy is replaced by Labour’s new growth and skills levy, the development of new apprenticeships to support our sector should prioritise quicker, more flexible training with a focus on younger apprentices. This will help our industry invest in enthusiastic, loyal, skilled workers from the beginning of their careers – boosting job prospects and inspiring a new generation of UK manufacturers.

The quicker we address skilled labour shortages, the better off UK manufacturing will be. With the UK unemployment rate recently jumping to 4.4 per cent, that’s roughly 1.57 million people unemployed.

Encouragingly, the government has pledged to support the Made Smarter initiative, with a recent review revealing that faster innovation and adoption of integrated data technologies (IDTs) could create 175,000 jobs within the UK manufacturing sphere.

This should allow ‘Made in Britain’ manufacturers to upskill more of the UK workforce, negating the need to outsource work to foreign countries and further boosting our economy. Britain has a proud reputation for creating quality products, using reputable processes and providing positive working conditions and salaries – indeed, the median wage within our sector stands at 11 per cent above the national average.

Expanding these job opportunities can only strengthen the industry, our workforce and our position on the world stage, especially when it comes to exports. With just under 35 per cent of all UK goods and services exports falling under the banner of ‘making things’, it’s clear the world views the ‘Made in Britain’ label as one that they want to buy into.

It is true that 2024 saw the UK slip out of the top 10 global manufacturing nations for the first time in more than a decade, falling from 8th place to 12th. I would be inclined to agree with others within our sector that the lack of a coherent, long-term industrial strategy is to blame for this decline.

However, with a more cohesive plan for the future of our industry, UK manufacturing will retain its powerhouse status and climb back up the global manufacturing rankings. Although we are navigating an increasingly tricky time, both in terms of UK manufacturing and business as a whole, the resilience that our industry has shown during recent upheavals – such as Brexit and the pandemic – makes me confident that we can adapt, pivot and succeed.

In 2021, the presence of a ‘Made in Britain’ label was worth an extra £3.5bn annually when it came to UK exporters. We can reinstate this view of British-made products on the world stage by supporting skilled UK workers, contributing to employment rates and championing British businesses.

Confidence in British business will ultimately remain to be what keeps our economy’s head above the water, upholding a reputation for quality goods and services that are proudly ‘Made in Britain’.

Kevin Brown, managing director of The Heritage Window Company