Priti Patel MP, Member of Parliament for Witham, visited Jack Arnold UK’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facility to meet with management, staff, and apprentices, and to hear first-hand about the challenges and opportunities facing UK manufacturing.
The visit highlighted Jack Arnold UK’s crucial role in the local economy, employing skilled workers and delivering major projects across the UK. Priti toured the design office and factory floor, discussing issues ranging from government support for UK manufacturing, delays in residential construction caused by Labour’s bureaucracy, skills shortages, subcontractor cashflow pressures, and the sector’s efforts to cut emissions and embrace sustainability.
Speaking after the visit, Priti said:
“British manufacturing is the backbone of our economy, providing secure jobs, apprenticeships, and the essentials for making the UK a place of innovation and high-skilled work. But instead of supporting this sector, Labour has chosen to tie it down with red tape, higher taxes, and a complete lack of a clear plan. The Conservatives have always stand up for manufacturing, ensuring fairer treatment for subcontractors, and backing the apprentices and skilled workers who are building Britain’s future.”
Under previous Conservative governments, UK manufacturing had climbed back to being the 8th largest in the world, with output reaching over £200 billion in 2023. By contrast, Labour have driven up business costs with new regulations and tax rises, caused delays in housing and construction with red tape, and failed to stand up for SMEs and subcontractors struggling with withheld payments.
Addressing the visit, Managing Director Jack Poulton said:
"Jack Arnold UK Ltd are extremely proud to have welcomed The Rt Hon Priti Patel MP to our Essex headquarters. As a British architectural metal fabricator, we are passionate about supporting the construction industry with high-quality, UK-made products. This visit was a fantastic opportunity to showcase the skills of our workforce, our new factory, and to highlight the vital role that UK manufacturing plays in housing and infrastructure projects across the country.”
Priti added:
“Labour has no strategy for manufacturing and assume that their higher taxes and administrative costs can just be absorbed by business. Discussions at Jack Arnold UK have made it clear that this approach is harming our local economy, and risks putting people out of work.”
