Budget 2015: Can Osborne solve Britain's productivity puzzle?

Despite solid economic growth since the downturn, Britain struggles to get more out of each hour worked

"If you think you are really good, you won't try to do any better." Ian Knight is explaining the philosophy behind his company's pursuit of productivity growth - something that has eluded so many British businesses in recent years. "We never quite get to where we want to be. The finish line is always moving."

In a bright, clean factory in Walsall, Knight, a "black belt" in the ultra-efficient production method six sigma, stands under a sign reading: "Embrace, enjoy and drive change." State of the art machinery measures, cuts, strips and crimps cables. All around, Knight's colleagues are assembling the complex control panels that PP Electrical Systems sells to other manufacturers, to be attached to their own products such as machine tools and food processing equipment.

We are not asking staff to work harder. We are looking to make their job better