Sector skills councils Lantra and Improve have called for a re-examination of the impact of the UK’s agriculture and food manufacturing sectors on the nation’s economy.

A recent report published by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) suggests that both agriculture and food manufacturing were of low significance to the UK economy. This has not been well received by Lantra and Improve, as the £77.4 billion UK food and drink industry is deemed one of the largest manufacturing sectors in the world.

Peter Martin, chief executive of Lantra, said: “Purely on economic grounds, the industries that make up the food supply chain, which are worth in the region of £155bn and employ 3.6 million people, make a major and growing contribution to the UK economy. This must be recognised by the UKCES.”

Chris Humphries, chief executive of the UKCES, has agreed to “look again” at the Skills for Jobs: Today and Tomorrow report to include corrected information of factors that had not been taken into account while preparing it.

Terming it a “staggering oversight” on the part of the UKCES to downplay this sector, Peter Martin drew attention towards the Cabinet Office report Food 2010 that highlights the need for increased investment in light of predicted world food shortages.

Jack Matthews, chief executive at Improve, said: “Correcting the information contained in this report is vitally important, as it will form the basis on which national and regional skills funding strategies are determined.

“Whoever is in government next must recognise the true contribution the food industry makes to the economy and be prepared to support employers accordingly.”

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