News article
24 March 2010
Budget response from UK's biggest manufacturing sector
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PRESS RELEASE
Julian Hunt, Director of Communications at the Food and Drink Federation, which
represents the interests of the UK's biggest manufacturing sector, said:
“The Government is showing it is serious about tackling unnecessary red tape –
with a pledge to table a forward programme of proposed regulation in the new
Parliament; clear targets to reduce the burdens on industry; and a commitment
to
work more closely with the EU institutions to improve regulatory processes in
Brussels. We will be holding Government to these promises."
“We are relieved that the Government has decided on a modest increase to the
National Minimum Wage - which strikes a fair balance between the needs of
lower-paid workers and hard-pressed employers recovering from recession. And we
support
the extension of the Young Person's Guarantee beyond March 2011. However, we
are
concerned that the Government has refused to change the proposal to increase
National Insurance Contributions from next year and is pressing ahead with
plans to
change the default retirement age – both of which will add further burdens on
employers."
“The extra £270m of priority funding for science, maths and technology courses
in universities is a welcome initiative given our sector's real need for more
food scientists."
“Clearly we are disappointed that the Chancellor is cutting the rebate available
to members under the Climate Change Agreement – a move that will cost our
sector
£8m a year in additional levy payments. At the same time, he has provided no
clarity about the potential impact on industry of new green fiscal measures
such as
the Renewable Heat Incentive.”
More Information
- FDF Press team
-
Cath Wilkins on cath.wilkins@fdf.org.uk or 020 7420 7132
-
Sarah Lovell on sarah.lovell@fdf.org.uk or 020 7420 7131
-
Rebecca Wilhelm rebecca.wilhelm@fdf.org.uk or 020 7420 7140
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