The report suggests public spending cuts and a sceptical view of manufacturing mean the UK is at risk of losing some of its most talented engineers.

A poll by American conglomerate General Electric of 1,000 engineering students and lecturers found only 13pc of lecturers feel the UK has a growing talent pool in the sector while 82pc of students said greater investment in higher education and vocational training was needed to boost the country’s competitiveness.

Read more at The Telegraph.