Understanding the changing value and structure of UK manufacturing

Cambridge Industrial Innovation Policy (CIIP), through IfM Engage, was commissioned by the Department for Business and Trade (DBT) to deliver the project The changing value and structure of the UK manufacturing sector.

The study offers new insights into how the manufacturing sector is defined and measured, and how its role in the wider economy is evolving. Drawing on international evidence and analytical frameworks, the report highlights the evolving role of services, the emergence of advanced and cross-sectoral activities, and the need for refined approaches to assess the full economic contribution of manufacturing. The findings aim to inform current and future policymaking across the UK’s industrial landscape.