Episode 1
WATCH:
THIS PROGRAMME IS ON AIR NOW:
Watch Live on BBC Two (Started at 21:00)
SYNOPSIS
Who says we don't make anything any more? In the first of a three-part series on how Britain pays its way in the world, Evan Davis busts the myths that we were wrong to let so much of our manufacturing go abroad, and that we have become a nation of shopkeepers, bankers and estate agents.
As he flies in the world's most revolutionary jet and drives one of the world's fastest supercars, he discovers Britain still makes a lot it can be proud of. But post crash, he asks is it enough to meet the country's bills.
HIGH VALUE MANUFACTURING-THE RIGHT MOVE FOR BRITAIN
For Evan Davis, the economy's move into more lucrative sectors was unquestionably the right direction for Britain to have taken.
Economic transition has not been easy.
Britain lost thousands of manufacturing jobs every month for many years as low value manufacturing journeyed off-shore.
The manufacturing that stayed behind though has been on a journey too -- towards smaller, higher value sectors.
MCLAREN-WHAT BRITAIN DOES BEST
HIGH PERFORMANCE
Best known for Formula One, McLaren has decided to branch out from racing cars to building and designing high-perfomance sportscars.
The company plans to use the wealth and expertise accrued from motor racing to create more wealth from sportscar manufacture
BACK TO BASICS
Britain has years of experience in motor racing.
At the start of the 20th Century, Britain had a speed limit of 20mph and there was a fear that the industry would fall behind unless cars could be tested at speed.
So in 1907, the world’s first purpose built motor racing circuit was built at Brooklands – just down the road from McLaren.
NEW INDUSTRY-NEW WEALTH
Two-thirds of Formula One teams now build their cars in Britain and several universities have degree courses in motorsport engineering.
The industry employs 25,000 engineers and it generates huge export revenues for Britain.
DISCOVER MORE
Discover more about how Britain pays its way in the world with The Open University’s online toolkit
CREDITS
BROADCASTS
- Mon 20 Jun 201121:00
- Mon 20 Jun 201121:00
Posts
