BRITISH manufacturers face two years of feeble growth, which the government must address as a “matter of national urgency,” an industry body warned today.

Engineering and manufacturing organisation Make UK said its latest forecasts indicated the sector will remain flat this year and grow by just half the rate of the economy in 2025, urging ministers to adopt a long-term industrial strategy “which will really shift the dial on the UK’s economic performance.”

Its survey of more than 300 firms found orders are “consistent but subdued,” while recruitment and investment plans are fairly strong.