AN accountancy firm has called on the Government to increase its commitment to small and medium-sized (SME) manufacturing and engineering businesses.

Tait Walker hosted a round-table event with business leaders from 14 of the country's SME firms aimed at helping the sector increase its competition in the global market.

North-East manufacturing companies Ebac and Ford Aerospace, supported a report backing the creation of a framework of manufacturing forums and calls for the Government to address the widening skills gap.

Alastair Wilson, tax partner at Tait Walker, said: “It is clear the UK’s SME manufacturing and engineering businesses are fired up and ready for the Government to show some dedicated support and guidance for the industry, at a local and national level.

“Off the back of the round-table’s report findings, Tait Walker have already started contacting North-East MPs to garner maximum support for the region’s SMEs to ensure businesses are more effectively supported by Government.”