The government’s industrial strategy has focused on high tech businesses but should do more to support other 'everyday' sectors, MPs say.
A report by the Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Committee says sectors including retail, hospitality and steel risk being 'left behind'.
It suggests the Government is unwilling to meet requests for support from the steel industry despite forcing it to 'jump through hoops' to reach a deal.
The committee calls for a new effort to keep the steel industry alive and help it thrive in a competitive global market.
The committee's chair Rachel Reeves said: 'The government’s industrial strategy isn’t doing enough for the everyday economy in sectors such as retail and hospitality where millions of Brits are employed.
'The government’s open door offer to industry isn’t being delivered upon in these neglected sectors and the Government needs to be much clearer about the criteria for sector deals and engage more actively and decisively to make these happen.
'On steel, the Government should get back to the table and talk to the industry to get a sector deal done.
'Having made the steel industry jump through hoops in efforts to get a deal, the Government should now deliver on its side of the bargain.'
