Make UK

Make UK

Make UK are the Manufacturers’ Organisation. Together, we champion and celebrate #UKmfg to build a platform for the evolution of UK Manufacturing. Here you will find a collection of manufacturing podcasts hosted by Make UK & Partners.

  1. Sep 22

    Making News - What does the new Government mean for UK manufacturing?

    In this episode of Making News, Make UK’s Peter Swift, Head of Communications, is joined by Celia Charlwood, Head of Government Affairs, and Fhaheen Khan, Senior Economist, to discuss the first few months of the new Government and what its plans could mean for manufacturers. They look at the Government’s ambition to reindustrialise Britain, what manufacturers need to see to turn that ambition into growth, and the priorities facing businesses ahead of the Autumn Budget. They cover: The early signals from the new Government for manufacturing What reindustrialisation needs to mean in practice The Government’s Industrial Strategy and key ministerial appointments The impact of high energy and employment costs on manufacturers Why delivery will be critical to achieving growth across the UK Make UK’s priorities ahead of the Autumn Budget The case for reviewing employer National Insurance costs What falling recruitment intentions mean for the sector How greater devolution could support local skills, infrastructure and investment The risk of manufacturers facing different levels of support across the country How Make UK is working with combined authorities and regional leaders With manufacturers facing continued pressure from the cost of doing business, the discussion looks at what Government can do in the short term to give firms more room to invest, recruit and grow, while delivering its longer-term ambitions for UK industry. Who is Make UK? Make UK champions and celebrates British manufacturing and manufacturers. Together, we build a platform for the evolution of UK manufacturing. For more information please head over to: https://www.makeuk.org/ Get connected: LinkedIn – Make UK X – @MakeUK_ TikTok – @makeuk_ Instagram – @make_uk_ Facebook – Make UK, The Manufacturers’ Organisation

    Making News - What does the new Government mean for UK manufacturing?
  2. Sep 21

    New trade union access rights: Is your business ready? | Making News

    New trade union access rights are expected to take effect from 30 October 2026, subject to Parliamentary approval. They will change how trade unions can communicate with workers through physical and digital access. In this episode of Making News, Make UK's Jamie Cater (Senior Policy Manager), Jonathan Young (Senior Legal Advisor) and Jenny Rimell (Head of HR Consultancy and Training) discuss what the changes could mean for employers and how businesses can prepare. *They cover:* • How physical and digital access could work • What happens when an access request arrives • The proposed 15-working-day response period • Who should receive, manage, and negotiate a request • What employers should consider before allowing site access • Why managers, shift leaders and reception teams need to understand their role • How the rights could affect businesses that already recognise a union • The importance of policy, process, and competence • How employee communication and workforce voice could affect union activity The discussion is relevant to employers with established trade union relationships, as well as businesses with little or no experience of working with unions. *Chapters:* 00:00 Introduction 01:06 Trade union changes taking effect from October 2026 02:26 What the new right of access means 04:26 Physical and digital access 05:54 Can an employer refuse access? 07:58 What businesses should do now 09:33 Which businesses are covered 10:59 Preparing a business with no union relationship 13:48 Where businesses may need support 16:09 What changes for businesses that already recognise a union 20:33 Conversations with recognised unions 22:28 Receiving and responding to an access request 24:54 Policies, processes and training 28:39 What employers need to know about the code of practice 31:48 Employee engagement and manager capability 35:24 Why these rights are different 36:36 What employers should prioritise 38:10 How Make UK can support employers 39:28 Closing Find out how Make UK can help your business prepare, including consultancy support, manager training, and help responding to an access request: https://www.makeuk.org/services/hr-and-legal/collective-employee-relations *Who Is Make UK?* Make UK champions and celebrates British manufacturing and manufacturers. Together, we build a platform for the evolution of UK manufacturing. *For more information please head over to ↗️https://www.makeuk.org/* *Get connected:* Twitter - https://twitter.com/MakeUk_ TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@makeuk_ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/make_uk_/ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/makeuk Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/MakeUKTheManufacturersOrganisation/

    New trade union access rights: Is your business ready? | Making News
  3. Jun 3

    Making News – Defending the UK in a changing World

    Defence spending is rising up the political agenda, but what does it mean for UK manufacturing, defence businesses and the economy? In this episode of Making News, Make UK experts discuss the UK’s defence ambitions, the long-awaited Defence Investment Plan, the role of SMEs in the defence supply chain, and the opportunities and challenges facing manufacturers as Europe increases defence spending. Hosted by: Mark Swift, Director of Public Affairs, Make UK With expert insights from: Chris Hague, Senior Policy Advisor, Make UK DefenceAndrew Kinniburgh, Director General, Make UK DefenceThe discussion explores the UK’s defence spending commitments, the implications of delays to the Defence Investment Plan, opportunities for SMEs, defence procurement reform, European collaboration, investment and financing options, and the growing importance of emerging technologies such as drones and autonomous systems. The conversation also examines what government action is needed to unlock investment, strengthen supply chains and ensure the UK defence sector can support national security while driving economic growth and innovation. Chapters: 00:00 – 01:39: Introduction and the State of UK Defence Spending 01:40 – 05:06: Funding Commitments and the Defence Budget Challenge 05:07 – 08:19: The Defence Investment Plan and Industry Confidence 08:20 – 12:50: SMEs, Procurement and Supply Chain Opportunities 12:51 – 17:00: European Defence Cooperation and Export Opportunities 17:01 – 20:39: Financing Defence and the Case for Defence Bonds 20:40 – 25:58: Drones, Innovation and Lessons from Ukraine 25:59 – End: The Future of UK Defence Manufacturing   Who Are Make UK? Make UK champions British manufacturing and manufacturers. Together, we build a platform for the evolution of UK manufacturing. For more information please head over to – https://www.makeuk.org/ Get connected: Twitter- https://x.com/MakeUK_ LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/company/makeuk

    Making News – Defending the UK in a changing World

About

Make UK are the Manufacturers’ Organisation. Together, we champion and celebrate #UKmfg to build a platform for the evolution of UK Manufacturing. Here you will find a collection of manufacturing podcasts hosted by Make UK & Partners.