The EEF is calling on the leaders of the main political parties to “tone down the current narrow-minded bickering and blame-driven politics” and demonstrate instead that they have “a real vision” for the UK economy in the next parliament.

EEF chief executive Terry Scuoler said: “The public and business want a vision of where we are going as a country and an economy.

"They want to see manifesto pledges that will support the creation of the skilled jobs we need, that will equip their children with the education and skills they will need for the future, and that will anchor value-creating businesses in the UK. In short, they want to hear what the big picture is for very critical issues.

“If the last five years have been about survival and rebuilding, the next five must be about delivering a better-balanced economy and sustained growth.

"UK manufacturing is in good shape to help deliver this; some important groundwork has been laid, and it is vital that the next Government — however it is made up — commits to immediate policies that will build on and encourage growth, private-sector investment and job creation.”

The EEF says that the next Government should: announce a ‘road-map’ for company tax reform; upgrade the transport network; ‘ring-fence’ the science and innovation budgets; focus UKTI’s work on providing help for smaller companies; support the proposed Transatlantic Trade Deal with the USA; restore an effective careers service; commit to reforming the “over-complicated and uncompetitive” system of carbon taxes and levies; press for Brussels to introduce compliance cost assessments for EU Directives; and commit to making the case for Britain’s continued membership of a reformed Europe.