56% of mechanical engineers back UK staying in the EU

This compares with results from a similar survey in 2015 which found 72% supported the UK staying in the EU, while 24% who said they wanted the UK to leave.

The institution has also outlined the key engineering issues likely to be affected by the EU referendum, which include: access to markets and skills, sourcing foreign investment and research funding and ensuring the UK’s ability to influence and create international engineering codes and standards.

Stephen Tetlow MBE, chief executive of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, said in response to the results: “The majority of mechanical engineers continue to support the UK staying in the EU, but these latest results show that the number of engineers who are undecided on how to vote is still relatively high.

“Whatever the outcome of the referendum in June, government needs to ensure the result does not damage the UK’s vital engineering and manufacturing sectors. The Government must focus on the key engineering issues likely to be affected by the decision. The most pressing are improving access to markets and people with the right skills, ensuring open access to foreign investment and growth in research funding as well as ensuring the UK is still able to continue to play a leading role in influencing European codes and standards."

Institution of Mechanical Engineers www.imeche.org