REGIONAL firms in the manufacturing, automotive, construction and engineering (MACE) sectors will be going to Westminster on Tuesday where they will ask MPs for the creation of a new Minister for Manufacturing.
The MACE group hopes this change will enhance its voice at the highest levels of government.
The Coventry and Warwickshire Chamber of Commerce has brought together businesses across these industries over the past two years to discuss issues impacting them.
The MACE group originally met at the start of the pandemic to look at the unprecedented challenges facing businesses and has continued to speak online.
It held its second in-person event at HORIBA MIRA this month to discuss issues including rising costs, recruitment and overseas trade.
The group is led by the Chamber and includes both major employers and SMEs.
The chamber’s head of policy, Sean Rose, said: “Just in the last few years we have seen the energy crisis, coronavirus and exiting the European Union which has had an adverse effect on the manufacturing, automotive, construction and engineering sectors.
“Therefore, it is right that the Chamber brings together the leading voices in these sectors to discuss the challenges faced but more importantly the practical solutions that can be presented directly to the government.
“It was very clear from these discussions the business community wants to get on with doing what it does best but needs the government to clear the red tape that is holding back growth and provide a platform of certainty, allowing firms to plan for the future.
“The energy price cap guarantee is a move in the right direction but the uncertainty of it coming to an end in six months’ time is just another example of the challenging times businesses find themselves in.
“As a Chamber of Commerce, we will continue to speak up on behalf of businesses throughout our region and ensure the voice of business is being heard loud and clear by the new prime minister in Number 10.”
