Is government doing enough to back British manufacturing
By Roger Hartshorn, CEO, Garnalex.
Britain was once a global leader in manufacturing, known for producing innovative, quality goods right here in the UK. But over time, government support seems to have waned. While recent moves, like the rescue of British Steel, do show some hope, I believe much more needs to be done for UK manufacturing to thrive in today’s competitive global market.
The Scunthorpe rescue
In March, British Steel’s Scunthorpe plant was on the brink of closure after tariffs imposed by the US intensified financial pressure. Owned by Chinese firm Jingye, emergency legislation has now brought it back under UK Government control.
This intervention shows that the Government recognises how vital manufacturing is to our economy. If Scunthorpe had ceased production, the UK would have become the only G7 nation unable to produce virgin steel; an alarming risk to our economic security.
Unfair competition
UK manufacturers are undercut by cheap imports. Countries like China and Malaysia have been selling steel and aluminium at the cost price of raw metal, bypassing trade surcharges. Even after the UK introduced similar tariffs post-Brexit, these imports continue to flood the market at artificially low prices.
Energy costs
Energy prices in the UK are significantly higher than in China and even Europe. Chinese exporters benefit from cheap, coal-powered energy, while UK firms pay green levies and network charges. Other European nations often subsidise industrial energy through taxation or relief schemes – support the UK lacks. While green energy is essential, British manufacturers can’t compete if energy pricing isn’t fair.
Wages and living costs
With rising living costs and tax burdens like Labour’s recent increase in employers’ National Insurance, UK manufacturers also face higher labour costs. Even countries closer to home, like Spain and Portugal, offer cheaper manufacturing environments.
Hidden cost of imports
Imported products often rack up thousands of miles in transport, but many manufacturers don’t include this in their carbon reporting. Some even claim green credentials while importing materials from across Europe or Asia. At Sheerline, our aluminium logs travel just 90 miles to our site, making our carbon footprint genuinely lower.
Stockholding and supply chains
Many fabricators tell me they hold up to 25% of their annual purchases in stock to account for delays and inefficiencies in global supply chains. This wouldn’t be necessary with Sheerline, where products are manufactured to order and delivered within five days, eliminating excess stockholding and waste.
Innovation needs protection
Innovation is the backbone of British manufacturing. Yet the current UK patent process is slow and costly, often putting small businesses at risk of being copied.
At Garnalex, we’ve consistently invested in R&D, and I’m proud we’ve been awarded a prestigious King’s Award for Innovation 2025 for our Sheerline window system. Our patented construction method and Thermlock technology are considered ‘game-changers’ by customers. But without faster, more affordable protection, UK innovation remains vulnerable.
A threat to family firms
Recent changes to Inheritance Tax threaten the future of family-owned businesses. Though much of the media focus has been on farming, manufacturers are equally affected. Family businesses account for nearly 57% of UK private sector employment and contributed £985 billion in Gross Value Added in 2023. These firms need long-term security to continue investing in British manufacturing.
What should the government do?
To level the playing field, I believe the government should:
- Reduce industrial energy costs through rebates or caps.
- Reconsider National Insurance increases for manufacturers.
- Cut business rates to ease financial strain.
- Enforce transparency around the carbon cost of imports.
- Speed up and simplify the patent process.
- Reverse inheritance tax changes that hurt family-run firms.
- Promote UK-made products and prioritise British suppliers in public sector procurement.
My message to Keir Starmer is simple: listen to those of us running manufacturing businesses. We don’t need favours – just fair treatment and sensible policies.
How Sheerline can help
Until government action comes, Sheerline offers support to fabricators and installers. Our rapid, made-to-order delivery model reduces the need for stockpiling and upfront costs. We deliver within five days, often before your profiles even need paying for, while offering industry-leading, UK-designed products backed by real innovation – and now, even a King’s Award!
