Automated Britain attracts significant cross-party political support

Policy makers in government and industry and politicians from all parties are supporting the Automated Britain conference reports Steve Brambley, deputy director of GAMBICA.

Automated Britain is attracting significant cross-party political support. A joint initiative between GAMBICA and Intellect to promote automation as a key factor in growing the UK economy, is taking place at the Commonwealth Club in London on March 6 2012.

Mark Prisk

Mark Prisk MP, Minister for Business and Enterprise, will deliver the keynote address 'The view from Government'. Also attending will be Chi Onwurah, Member of Parliament for Newcastle Central and Shadow Minister for Innovation, Science and Digital Infrastructure.

Julian Huppert

Julian Huppert, Member of Parliament for Cambridge, said this about the event: “Investment in automation is crucial if our manufacturing industry is to retain its place in the competitive global market and grow in the future, bringing desperately needed new jobs.

“These are extremely difficult economic times but by embracing new technology we equip our manufacturing industry with the most up-to-date tools it needs to keep a competitive edge. And of course, this industry’s success is vital for the UK economy as a whole, not only producing the goods we need at home but holding our strong position in the extremely important international export market.

“In addition to the huge economic benefits that automation brings, there are also environmental advantages. Automation consumes less energy, controls pollution and cuts carbon emissions.”

Pauline Latham OBE, Member of Parliament for Mid Derbyshire, adds: “Automation technology has the potential to increase the competitiveness of our manufacturing industries, whilst increasing energy efficiency and reducing emissions. For this technology to be successful in Britain, it is important that there is a continued supply of motivated and well educated young people to continue the trade, and this could be done by graduate and apprenticeship schemes.”

Chi Onwurah (right)

At the event, automation users and manufacturers will team up with politicians and civil servants to demonstrate that the economy can be rebalanced by manufacturing, and that automation plays a major part in that.

The conference will also explore whether there are any perceived obstacles that discourage industry from making more of this type of investment, and will end with a panel discussion ‘Investment in automation; What are the drivers to encourage uptake?’, chaired by Keith Hodgkinson, Head of electronics, Materials, Chemicals and Product Regulation at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS).

To attend Automated Britain go to Intellect's website and click book now. GAMBICA and Intellect members and invited guests will pay a special rate of only £245 to attend.