Global competitiveness investment for manufacturing

The New Opportunities programme, developed by the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform and the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, will deliver a range of strategies to support the sector.

Almost £150 million of medium-term support for UK manufacturing will be provided, with the intention of advancing progress towards a low-carbon economy, building on skills in the industry and working to attract more foreign direct investment.

We want to support manufacturing innovation in UK by maintaining a world-class research and development infrastructure

John Denham

Skills Secretary

Business Secretary John Hutton said the initiative is designed to help UK firms keep abreast of the changes in the global manufacturing industry and suggested the support could help the country become a world leader in green technologies.

John Denham, the Skills Secretary, commented: "We want to support manufacturing innovation in UK by maintaining a world-class research and development infrastructure, through intelligent use of government procurement and regulation to stimulate markets and the growth of innovative business, and to build world-class skills.

Last month, the Technology Strategy Board unveiled a £20 million investment to encourage innovation in the manufacturing industry, in addition to a £10 million boost for new materials technologies for the energy sector.