Policy centre to champion supply chain and SMEs

SMEs are the backbone of the UK economy, comprising over 90% of the manufacturing sector. Despite their fundamental role in national economic strength, their experiences and needs are often underrepresented when policy is shaped. The Policy Centre aims to move the conversation about SMEs beyond anecdote, creating a credible, data-driven force to inform government thinking. It wil act as an independent convener for industry, policy organisations, sector collaborators, and government, whose purpose is to ensure that policy solutions address the skills gap and enable productivity and sustainable growth in engineering and manufacturing. 

The Policy Centre will amplify the voice of SMEs by continually gathering evidence and insight from sources such as the SME Advisory Council and the SME Snapshot survey, ensuring their priorities help shape policy. As an independent charity, the Centre will also act as a constructive ally to the Government, offering robust, data-driven intelligence on the sector’s skills challenges and opportunities. In addition, it will strengthen collaboration across the ecosystem by working proactively with membership organisations, trade bodies, sector networks, and large employers, recognising that a unified message carries far greater influence.

Early activity has already focused on key national priorities including: ensuring the Advanced Manufacturing Plan and Industrial Strategy fully reflect the contribution of SMEs; encouraging government to begin exploratory work on the benefits of a skills tax credit to boost employer investment in training; and emphasising the importance of balancing government's commitment to introducing greater flexibility to the Growth and Skills Levy without compromising SME access to levy funds for apprenticeships 

To support this ongoing evidence gathering, the Policy Centre runs the SME Snapshot, a bi-annual survey capturing how SMEs are responding to economic and policy developments.

Ann Watson, CEO of Enginuity, said: “SMEs are the lifeblood of the UK economy yet often fail to be heard by those making policy in key areas at the heart of government – and those honing policy need to listen. Effective government policy depends on meaningful engagement with the people and organisations whose insights and experience are essential to its success. 

“SMEs are huge in number, but that can mean that they can be difficult to identify and engage, and their individual voices lack unification, amplification and clarity. This is where Enginuity’s Policy Centre can really come into its own, creating the epicentre between SMEs, Government and others, ensuring that positive and productive engagement and dialogue take place.” 

Policymakers, partners, and businesses interested in supporting or collaborating with SMEs and the supply chain are encouraged to contact The Policy Centre using the forms on the webpage.

enginuity.org/policy-centre