EEF calls for infrastructure fast-tracking

The EEF, the manufacturers' organisation, has urged the Government to make a U-turn on its spending plans, and bring forward infrastructure projects to boost economic growth.

"With the Government increasingly relying on business to drive growth, next month's Spending Review must prioritise the actions to help to deliver it," EEF chief executive Terry Scuoler said. "We also need to see a step change in investment in our transport system, particularly in our overstretched road network."

In a call bound to cause controversy, the EEF added that the Government should end the ring-fencing of the NHS budget in order to find more funds to spend on skilling up the workforce so that business can meet long-term Government targets for increasing UK exports.

The EEF added that, instead of ring-fencing health spending, the Government ought to protect the budget of science and innovation projects.