Manufacturing (Hansard, 18 November 2003)

Manufacturing industry remains under considerable pressure in the UK, as it does in other major economies.

We are doing all we can to help to support UK manufacturers with the actions we are taking forward as part of the Government's manufacturing strategy. By maintaining a stable macroeconomic climate, together with measures such as extending the research and development tax credit to all companies, and establishing the Manufacturing Advisory Service, we are helping our manufacturers to succeed in difficult global conditions. The Manufacturing Advisory Service has been a real success as a major source of advice and support for manufacturers, and has added value worth more than £28 million to firms that have taken up its services since it launched in April 2002.