The UK is ill-prepared for the next industrial revolution, in which it is claimed robots and artificial intelligence will make millions of jobs obsolete, manufacturers have warned.

Research conducted by the trade organisation EEF found that, while 42pc of manufacturers believe they “have a good handle” on what the next industrial age – the so-called fourth industrial revolution – will entail, only one in 10 thinks the country is ready.

“Manufacturers are ready to do the heavy lifting, but their efforts must be supported across the sector and supply chains and backed up by Government through its new industrial strategy,” said Lee Hopley, chief economist at EEF.

“If we get this approach right then the UK can expect to be at the forefront of this global industrial wave – get it wrong, however, and the UK will be left trailing in its wake.”