'Manufacturing matters', says Cable

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Contrary to public opinion, the UK still has a strong and growing manufacturing sector, the business secretary has said.

Speaking at the parliamentary launch of the 'Made by Britain' campaign, Vince Cable urged parliamentarians and the public alike to remember that "manufacturing matters".

Cable said that the belief that Britain was no longer a nation of manufacturers was a myth, and should be exposed as such. "We need to reverse the old stereotype – that Britain doesn't make things any more," he said.

"I hear so much of that negativity, you know, we've given up on manufacturing, can't do it, it's all made in China. That is totally and utterly wrong."

And he explained how, during his tenure as business secretary, he had gained a greater understanding of the benefits that the manufacturing sector could bring to the nation's economic standing.

He said: "One of the things I've discovered in my job – I travel around the country a lot – is that enormous numbers of really, really good British companies have been through bad times, but they have innovated and dominate their markets with classic design, innovation, good management, good manufacturing."

Made by Britain is designed to address the reputation problems facing the manufacturing sector. Starting with 40 inclusions, the project will seek to get each of the 650 Members of Parliament to find and promote a product currently being manufactured in their constituency.

The project was originally devised by the associate parliamentary manufacturing group following a challenge by the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 to find an appropriate way to mark the 160th anniversary of the Great Exhibition in Hyde Park.

With nearly 100,000 exhibits and attended by over six million paying visitors, the exhibition was designed to showcase manufacturing innovations not only from Britain, but around the world.

Even though the show was a great success, Prince Albert, the prince consort of the time and co-organiser, feared that the British manufacturing sector was ceasing to be as successful as its international counterparts and so proposed that the role of the Royal Commission, originally set up to host the exhibition, be extended.

Sir Alan Rudge, the Commission's chair, spoke to event attendees in the Attlee Suite of Portcullis House. He emphasised the role that manufacturing had in the 21st century economy and the significance of marking 160 years since the Great Exhibition.

"The importance of productive industry has to be emphasised from the prime minister down, if we are to offset the damage done by the post-industrial mantra," he said.

"A strong manufacturing base is not optional, it is absolutely essential."

Hosting the launch, in his capacity as co-chair of the APPG on manufacturing, was Barry Sheerman MP.

Sheerman outlined the purpose of the campaign as being to celebrate the success of British manufacturing and to continue to press for growth in the sector's productivity.

The Huddersfield MP said: "We care about Britain's manufacturing industry; we know it is vital for the future wealth of our country and for the future wellbeing of our country.

"There is a long road to go until we can get manufacturing back to what it should be. A lot of people in this room can help that to happen."