Manufacturers say UK becoming more competitive as global hub, survey finds

Findings show British bosses growing in confidence over sector's prospects despite headwinds of sustained economic challenges'

Britain's largest manufacturers believe the UK is increasing its competitiveness as a global hub for manufacturing, despite high energy costs, worker shortages and political instability holding back progress.

In a crunch period for the economy before the general election, the manufacturing trade body Make UK and the accountancy firm PricewaterhouseCoopers said industry bosses were growing more confident about the sector's prospects, but headwinds of sustained economic challenges" still remained.