Shaping the Conditions for Engineering Success
The UK’s engineering and manufacturing sectors operate within a complex policy environment. We work to ensure that Government, policymakers, and opinion formers understand the sector’s vital contribution to the national economy and the support it needs to thrive. Through research, advocacy, and strategic partnerships, we help shape policies that benefit UK engineering.
Evidence-Based Policy Engagement
The Foundation has a long history of producing research that informs policy debate. Our reports have examined the challenges facing UK manufacturing, including energy and finance, the importance of the trade balance, and the specific needs of small and medium-sized engineering businesses. This research provides the evidence base for our engagement with Government and Parliament.
Effective policy must be grounded in a clear understanding of economic realities. Our work has consistently highlighted the importance of productive industry to UK prosperity and the risks of neglecting the manufacturing sector in favour of services alone.
- Manufacturing skills and workforce development
- Support for engineering SMEs and access to finance
- Industrial strategy and the role of high-tech manufacturing
- Trade balance and the economic contribution of manufacturing
Working with Parliament and Government
The Foundation maintains active relationships with parliamentarians and officials who shape policy affecting the engineering sector.
We contribute to consultations, provide briefings, and support the work of relevant All-Party Parliamentary Groups.
Our engagement is non-partisan and focused on the long-term interests of UK engineering.
We seek to build understanding across the political spectrum of the sector’s needs and potential, advocating for stable, supportive policies that enable businesses to invest and grow.
Policy Research and Advocacy
Evidence-Based Policy Engagement
The Foundation has a long history of producing research that informs policy debate. Our reports have examined the challenges facing UK manufacturing, including energy and finance, the importance of the trade balance, and the specific needs of small and medium-sized engineering businesses. This research provides the evidence base for our engagement with Government and Parliament.
Effective policy must be grounded in a clear understanding of economic realities. Our work has consistently highlighted the importance of productive industry to UK prosperity and the risks of neglecting the manufacturing sector in favour of services alone.
- Manufacturing skills and workforce development
- Support for engineering SMEs and access to finance
- Industrial strategy and the role of high-tech manufacturing and electrotechnology
- Trade balance and the economic contribution of manufacturing
Parliamentary and Government Engagement
Working with Parliament and Government
The Foundation maintains active relationships with parliamentarians and officials who shape policy affecting the engineering sector. We contribute to consultations, provide briefings, and support the work of relevant All-Party Parliamentary Groups.
Our engagement is non-partisan and focused on the long-term interests of UK engineering. We seek to build understanding across the political spectrum of the sector’s needs and potential, advocating for stable, supportive policies that enable businesses to invest and grow.
- Collaboration with the All-Party Parliamentary Manufacturing Group
- Contributions to Manufacturing Commission papers on skills
- Engagement with Local Industrial Strategy development
Amplifying the Industries' Voice
We work alongside trade bodies, think tanks, and professional institutions to amplify the voice of UK manufacturing and engineering. By collaborating with organisations that share our objectives, we can achieve greater impact than working alone.
Our partners in this work include MakeUK, Policy Connect, and Civitas, the Bessemer Society, and the professional engineering institutions. Together, we produce research, convene discussions, and make the case for policies that support the sector.
- MakeUK: The manufacturers’ organisation
- Civitas: Independent think tank
- Policy Connect: Independent think tank
- Bessemer Society: Entrepreneurs’ forum creating technically innovative new companies
- Learned Societies and Professional Engineering Institutions including RAEng, RS, IET and IMechE
Focus on SMEs
Small and medium-sized enterprises are the backbone of UK engineering, contributing significantly to employment, innovation, and exports. Yet they often face disproportionate challenges in accessing finance, navigating regulation, and competing for talent.
The Foundation pays particular attention to the needs of engineering SMEs in our policy work. We advocate for targeted support, reduced administrative burdens, and better access to the resources these businesses need to grow and succeed.
Policy Papers
Dive into the evidence and insights shaping our advocacy for UK engineering and manufacturing.
Influencing News
Stay up to date with our policy work and industry engagement.
