COMPANIES in Yorkshire have helped the UK re-enter the world’s top ten manufacturing nations according to a new report.

Findings by manufacturers’ body EEF and Santander bank show that regional producers account for around £16.2 billion worth of output or 16 per cent of the Yorkshire economy. Manufacturing employs just over 285,000 skilled people across the region accounting for 10.5 per cent of total employment.

Andy Tuscher, EEF Yorkshire regional director, said:“Given the importance of manufacturing to the Yorkshire economy it’s vital that we educate all stakeholders about its real value and contribution to growth across the region.

“This is especially important in a post-Brexit world where we have to look at possibly all new avenues of generating growth and investment.”

Charles Garfit, head of manufacturing, Santander Corporate & Commercial, added:

“It is great news that the UK has re-entered the top ten manufacturing nations. It is interesting to see that there has been growth in the non-traditional sectors and regions showing the increasing importance that manufacturing has across the country.

“ However, to build momentum on this renewed optimism manufacturing businesses in the UK must look at the opportunities beyond our own borders to extend their growth potential.”

The 2016 manufacturing fact card data shows that Britain is now the ninth largest industrial nation with an annual output worth $247 billion .

This accounts for ten per cent of Gross Value Added for the UK economy, with manufacturing accounting for 14 per cent of business investment and 68 per cent of research and development spending .

According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, UK manufacturers have outperformed every country except the United States for job creation since 2010, whilst since 2013 average earnings have risen by three per cent, twice the rate of the economy overall.