Make UK's chief executive says the country's manufacturing sector has been let down by domestic political chaos and has demanded action to help bolster innovation and growth

The head of the manufacturing sector's lobby group has demanded a "reset" in the UK's relationship with the European Union, claiming international suppliers have increasingly turned their backs on the country.

Stephen Phipson, chief executive of Make UK, told the organisation's National Manufacturing Conference in London that political turmoil in the UK had exacerbated supply chain strains caused by Brexit and the Covid pandemic.

Mr Phipson also called on the Government to commit to an industrial strategy, in particular stepping up efforts to secure the future of the UK automotive industry through enabling battery capacity, as well as ending the procrastination on the Small Modular Reactor programme as part of the Government's commitment to clean energy.

He said: "While the unity of the response towards Ukraine has eased some of the tensions with the EU, the political mismanagement of our economy and damage to the reputation of the UK as a partner on such a grand scale, together with the disregard of the rule of law in our political system cannot continue.

"We need to reset our political and trading relationship with the EU which has been marked by such rancour. 

"I want to applaud the positive approach taken by the Prime Minister which shows what can be achieved when you work pragmatically and collaboratively, rather than thumping the table or issuing threats.

"Hopefully the agreement reached last week will be the beginning of a new chapter whereby the UK and EU can jointly focus on deepening cooperation, finding mechanisms to solve current disruptions in trade, as well as building a framework that benefits businesses and boosts growth on both sides."