When an economist or journalist, and even better a journalist who was an economist, starts to talk seriously about manufacturing in the UK I should be a happy man. For much of the past 10 years trying to have a decent conversation on this has been almost impossible. So imagine the surprise when Evan Davis, host of the Today programme and previous economics editor for the BBC, publishes a book with a natty TV series attached called Made in Britain.
The first episode aired last night (for UK readers here is the iPlayer link which should be good for seven days or more) with Davis oohing and ahing over bits of military kit that BAE Systems part make, mostly integrate. Sidenote - when you're trying to impress a journalist it's usually a good idea to offer them a ride in a fighter jet. Commenting from the back seat of said jet was slightly comical and it encapsulated my frustrations with the show.
The issues raised are real and desperately important for the UK. To soft soap the economics and not be willing to be more forward looking on how the changing global context will put even more pressure on us was a failure. For the majority of people who don't think we make anything any more the programme may show them the error of their ways, but in terms of moving the debate on I fear it did little.
Let's see what he makes of science and innovation next week.
Best
Finbarr
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