Made in Britain has welcomed an instruction from Chancellor Rachel Reeves for government departments to prioritise British companies where possible for contracts in shipbuilding, steel, energy, and artificial intelligence.
The move, which aims to foster growth and create skilled jobs and apprenticeships, aligns with the mission of the trade organisation representing and championing more than 2,250 UK manufacturers.
It has been reported that Rachel Reeves wrote to every cabinet minister in charge of a spending department to ‘buy British’ wherever possible, expressing disappointment that they are not already doing so.
Made in Britain CEO, John Pearce has welcomed the intervention, which he says will have a direct, positive impact on British businesses and the UK economy.
He said: “We are delighted to see the Chancellor taking such a firm stance on buying British. We see this as being about recognising the world-class quality, provenance, and ethical standards that British manufacturers offer and this could be very good for a wide range of industries.
“For years, procurement was focused on operational costs rather than the wider value and national interest. By prioritising British manufacturers in critical sectors like AI, energy, and shipbuilding, the government is supporting the 2.6 million people directly employed by UK manufacturing and the communities they sustain, growing local economies and UK productivity.
“We see scope for more UK manufacturing companies to play a bigger role across critical national infrastructure sectors also and continue our practical, non-political work with government across the UK and wider industry on this agenda.”
He continued: “The Made in Britain trademark is an essential tool for transparency that gives buyers confidence that a product lives up to what is expected of a genuinely British product. It ensures that when the government or a consumer chooses a product, they are getting a verified, high-quality item that supports livelihoods in the UK.
“We have over 2,250 manufacturers across all sectors ready to meet this demand and help the UK economy grow sustainably, and we encourage other great British manufacturers to join us and get the support and recognition that they deserve.”
Made in Britain is committed to helping companies sell more of what they make, through licensing of the Made in Britain trademark. The organisation also helps companies to demonstrate the wider social value of their businesses and offers an established supply chain programme that connects members with major buyers, such as in the Ministry of Defence, National Highways and NHS Supply Chain.