EEF, the manufacturers’ organisation, is urging Britain’s political leaders to back policies that will rebalance the UK’s economy, following a YouGov poll revealing strong support from voters.

The call follows new research confirming widespread support for industry’s demands for better-balanced growth. Over six in ten consumers (63%) want to see Britain enjoying a better-balanced economy, where growth is sustainable and the economy is growing across different sectors. They want to see Britain making more (59%), exporting more (64%) and competing more effectively with other countries (58%).

Consumers also want long-term plans for protecting and building upon the economic recovery to be centre stage during next year’s election campaign. Almost eight in ten (79%) say this is important – a sentiment echoed by industry leaders. At the same time, almost seven in ten (68%) say that if current economic and business policies are working well they should be left alone.

Over eight in ten (85%) want the next Government to promote a stronger UK manufacturing base, believing it will deliver more jobs (79%), economic growth (64%) and prosperity (56%). Six in ten (62%) think that a stronger manufacturing sector will give the country more economic security. It is the sector consumers most want to see grow (48% compared to the next closest sectors: services 15% and construction 15%).

But with a lot of emphasis on strength and security, there are clear concerns over the timing of the next election and what it could mean for Britain’s economic bounce back. Over seven in ten consumers (72%) say that the election comes at a critical point for the recovery, while 77% say that the upturn could be affected by the election’s policy outcomes.