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Specialist Manufacturing Sector: Regional Economies
19 November 2025
Lead MP
Josh Fenton-Glynn
Calder Valley
Lab
Responding Minister
Chris McDonald
Tags
Economy
Word Count: 14081
Other Contributors: 17
At a Glance
Josh Fenton-Glynn raised concerns about specialist manufacturing sector: regional economies in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
The Government needs to support small and medium-sized manufacturers with skills training, infrastructure development, and investment guarantees to encourage apprenticeships and secure long-term job opportunities for young people.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Manufacturing contributed £217 billion in output to the UK economy last year, supporting 2.6 million jobs. However, the number of manufacturing jobs in Calder Valley has been declining since 2007. Companies are facing order book shortages due to tariffs and lack of stability.
Alison Hume
Lab
Scarborough and Whitby
Discussed SeaGrown's Kelpedo system for seaweed cultivation and offshore wind farm integration in Scarborough.
Chris McDonald
SNP
Aberdeen South
Discussed the economic benefits of manufacturing, highlighted key statistics such as higher wages and productivity in manufacturing sectors. Addressed procurement issues and outlined measures to enhance UK manufacturers' competitiveness and secure contracts. Defended the employment rights and highlighted the need for support rather than scaremongering.
David Williams
Lab
Stoke-on-Trent North
Discusses Stoke-on-Trent’s ceramics industry and its importance as one of the UK’s most distinctive specialist manufacturing clusters. Emphasises technical skill, precision and understanding of materials passed down through generations.
Allison Gardner
Lab
Stoke-on-Trent South
Stressed the importance of advanced ceramics as a foundational industry and highlighted the economic potential of the A50/A500 growth corridor, asking for £3 million to develop a business case.
Neil Gardiner
Con
Bury St Edmunds
Inquired about improving trade with Europe post-Brexit for a ceramics company in his constituency.
Gareth Snell
Lab/Co-op
Stoke-on-Trent Central
Emphasised the importance of discussing manufacturing in Parliament and highlighted contributions from his constituency. He disagreed with the hon. Member for South West Devon on the Employment Rights Bill, arguing that it secures rights for people to know their working hours. Emphasised the importance of defence manufacturing for national security and resilience. Called on the Minister to extend the supercharger scheme to energy-intensive industries ahead of 2027.
Gideon Amos
LD
Taunton and Wellington
Highlights importance of specialist manufacturing in Taunton and Wellington constituency with example of Pearsalls and Agratas factory, which will employ around 4,000 people. Discusses University Centre Somerset's initiative to develop new training pathways for the facility.
Harpreet Uppal
Lab
Huddersfield
The Member discusses the importance of manufacturing towns in shaping Britain’s economy and identity. He highlights the textile heritage of Huddersfield, mentioning several local manufacturers and their challenges such as finding a younger workforce and high energy costs.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Highlighted Northern Ireland's contribution to the manufacturing industry, adding £2.2 billion gross value added and supporting 900 direct jobs from the defence sector in 2024. Asked for a commitment related to Northern Ireland and manufacturing industry support.
John Slinger
Lab
Rugby
Praised the work of Catapult centres like the Manufacturing Technology Centre in Rugby for training apprenticeships and supporting young people into manufacturing jobs.
Calder Valley
Emphasised the importance of manufacturing services and highlighted various regional specialties, including ceramics from Stoke-on-Trent and valve manufacturing in Calder Valley.
Gregory Campbell
DUP
East Londonderry
Agreed on the importance of upskilling manufacturing workers beyond large cities, emphasizing that smaller towns also need to benefit from such initiatives.
Joshua Reynolds
Con
Stalybridge and Hyde
The Liberal Democrat spokesperson welcomes the Government's reinstatement of the industrial strategy but expresses disappointment that insufficient attention has been paid to the agrifoods industry and rural economy. Questioned the effectiveness of UK Export Finance’s plan to support SME exporters.
Tiverton and Minehead
Mentioned local manufacturing firms in her constituency like Heathcoat Fabrics, Shearwell Data, Singer Instruments, and Agratas.
Rebecca Paul
Con
Reigate
Advanced manufacturing contributes more than £90 billion in gross value added to the economy. The Government’s industrial strategy recognises the industry's comparative advantage, and regions such as the north-west generate £14.4 billion in advanced manufacturing GVA.
Rebecca Smith
Con
Lancaster and Fleetwood
Asked about the connection between departments regarding defence technical excellence colleges and their importance for regions like the south-west.
Sarah Dyke
LD
Glastonbury and Somerton
Asked if the Government should offer equal commercial opportunities for UK businesses in respect of defence-related manufacturing contracts to ensure a level playing field.
Government Response
Chris McDonald
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Business and Trade
Government Response
Acknowledges the pride in manufacturing heritage across Britain, highlighting examples like Hopkinsons, Fort Vale, and Blackhall Engineering. Discusses challenges such as procurement, skills, and energy costs, emphasizing the Government's industrial strategy aimed at delivering productivity and growth through place-based initiatives. Discussed industrial strategy, highlighted key statistics on manufacturing's economic benefits. Addressed procurement reform to enhance UK manufacturers' competitiveness and secure contracts. Mentioned clean energy strategies, defence technical excellence colleges, and skills initiatives including the engineering skills package worth over £182 million for advanced manufacturing. Emphasised the support for small businesses through various schemes such as the British industry supercharger and the British industrial competitiveness scheme. Highlighted efforts to reduce administrative costs of regulation by 25% and encouraged manufacturers to participate in business regulation questionnaires.
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About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.