Posted to News on 5th Jun 2020, 10:39
The survey says - well done UK manufacturing
According to a recent survey of 2000 adults undertaken by Populus for Cadence Innovation Marketing, 74 per cent of the UK public believes that the manufacturing sector stepped up to meet the challenge of supporting the UK as coronavirus took a grip on the nation in March 2020. The same number of respondents also believed that a strategic long-term plan for helping UK manufacturing to be more productive and competitive will help insulate us from future pandemics - and go some way towards protecting UK GDP.
It is stated that currently, manufacturing contributes over 17 per cent to GDP - and pleasingly for everyone involved in the sector, 75 per cent of the UK public surveyed believes more strongly in the importance of UK manufacturing as a result of the coronavirus outbreak. Another interesting aspect revealed by the survey was that in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, 76 per cent of respondents expressed concern about cheap imported goods. Because the virus has disrupted many global supply chains, it has resulted in many UK factories switching production to medical devices and related products, which has led to UK manufacturing being placed in a central role in the unfolding drama. Rarely in recent times has it been the subject of so much media and public attention.
Cadence managing director Tom Spencer observes: "Our snapshot poll sought to delve deeper into what's behind the media commentary by asking a representative sample of over 2000 UK adults for their opinion on a range of topics raised by coronavirus. The results offer an insight into changing public opinion about the importance and relevance of UK manufacturing". More than two in three of those questioned believe that the UK manufacturing sector has risen to the challenge of coronavirus, with just 6 per cent disagreeing with them.
Spencer adds: "This huge public vote of confidence in our often beleaguered and under-supported sector is just one of several remarkable statistics thrown up by our research". The study, which was carried out in early May 2020, clearly shows that the UK public has swung behind UK industry at a time when many manufacturers have stepped up to support the nation and its much-loved health service.
Steve Brambley, CEO, GAMBICA says: ""The result shows that there is a genuine opportunity for the UK to open a new page in its history as it embarks on the era of digital transformation that will define it for generations to come. It remains to be seen if the pandemic itself, resultant global economic turmoil, and Brexit will distract or divert resources away from an environment that will support the regeneration of UK industry, but this poll makes one thing abundantly clear: the people of the UK stand firmly behind our industry and believe strongly in its futur".
The annual "Attitudes to UK Industry' study is a series of snapshot polls and research culminating in an annual report to be presented to the media. Cadence Innovation Marketing works with organisations across industry and has sponsored the study's launch to help keep communications surrounding the sector's importance and contribution to the economy front of mind. More information is available at www.attitudestoukindustry.co.uk.
