EEF calls for change of focus in Autumn Statement

The manufacturers' organisation, EEF, is calling on the government to prioritise resources on growth in next month's Autumn Statement and support investment.

It says that despite strong third-quarter gross domestic product figures, more needs to be done to boost business investment and encourage export growth.

Because of this, EEF recommends the £5.3 billion underspend by government departments in the 2011-12 financial year goes towards infrastructure investment instead, among several other proposals to help with business growth.

EEF Chief Executive Terry Scuoler explained that there is a lot the UK government can do at home to create growth.

"In recent months, the government has been more vocal about the need for growth and importance of speeding up delivery," he explained. "The Autumn Statement now needs to match these good intentions by providing some clarity on how this will happen."

It comes after the Forum of Private Business called for changes to the National Insurance holiday to reduce employee costs and help small businesses grow in the months to come.

Posted by Thomas Fletcher

Date published 26 Nov 2012 | Last updated 26 Nov 2012