Whoever wins the keys to No 10 Downing Street at the General Election should put manufacturing at the centre of their economic strategy, say industry leaders.

EEF, the manufacturers’ body, says the image of the sector was out-dated and it has been discriminated against in the tax system.

It claims UK manufacturing firms are successful in spite of operating in a business environment that actively discourages their investment and growth.

The EEF has issued its ‘manufacturing manifesto’ setting out priorities which it believes the next government should follow.

It says whoever wins the election needs to think and act differently to rebuild and rebalance the UK economy and ensure the country pays its way in world.

Manufacturing is important to Bradford as it makes up around 24 per cent of the local economy, higher than the national average.

EEF has called for the next government to have a clear and credible strategy for growth, as the decisions it makes in the first 100 days will have lasting implications for the UK’s prosperity.

It has set out proposals to grow markets and stimulate investment in innovation and skills, to repair the public finances and minimise the economic pain of reducing carbon emissions.

Alan Hall, EEF regional director, said: “At the start of the last decade, EEF warned that the UK’s economy was at a crossroads – either we grew our manufacturing base or our economy would suffer. After a painful and prolonged recession, the UK is back at that crossroads.

“We need to look again at what sort of economy we want in the future and how we get there. Yet, the current economic and political debate is stale, glossing over complex yet pressing practicalities of how to rebuild and rebalance our economy and how to create jobs and boost investment.”

The next government should provide more consistent policies for business, reduce the cost of government by addressing public sector pay and pensions and working better with the private sector.

Providing a better business climate would require ensuring a competitive, predictable tax system. Reform of capital allowances was needed to reflect the true cost of modern machinery and ensure producers did not bear an unfair tax burden.

Increased labour market flexibility was also needed, including maintaining a default retirement age and retaining the individual opt-out from the Working Time Directive.

The new government should create one source of finance to support ambitious, growing companies and enable businesses to collaborate with universities.

It should also deliver valuable business support schemes and prioritise funding for programmes that deliver the greatest benefits.

Mr Hall said: “Getting the business environment right is only part of the job. Manufacturers need confidence to continue to make long-term investments in the UK; in new capacity, in modern machinery, in their workforce and in innovation.

“The real challenge is using government’s influence to send the right signals to would-be investors who are making decisions so as to encourage investment here in the UK.”