Annual Review 2009: Leading from the front
Industry in action
Proactive support during the downturn
We have been vocal in our belief that
Government should be looking to minimise
the burdens placed on manufacturers
emerging from recession, which is why
issues relating to employment law feature
prominently in our work as we lobby to
preserve the competitiveness of our sector.
During the year we joined other employers'
organisations to lobby on the EU Temporary
Agency Workers Directive. We were
encouraged by the decision to delay the
implementation to October 2011 and by the
amendments to the UK's interpretation and
implementation of this significant piece of
new employment legislation.
Our submission to the Low Pay Commission
asked for a cautious approach to increasing
the national minimum wage, and members
were heartened by the news that from 1
October 2009 the adult minimum wage rate
would rise by 1.2%, which we felt was fair
given industry conditions.
We continue to keep members informed
on legislative changes that may affect them – such as our briefings on the
impact
of the new migration points based system
– and have helped members manage their
businesses better through the provision of
robust market data on pay, conditions and
benefits. In addition, we have launched
a monthly news alert to provide a topline
view of key employment and skills issues
affecting our sector.
We have supported Improve, our sector
skills council, and its plan to introduce the
first employer-developed system of awards
for unit-based skills that will count towards
accredited national qualifications. We
hosted a workshop to help shape Improve's
initiative to develop industry standards for
sustainable food production. We have also
supported Improve in developing a strategy
to improve the practical application of food
science and technology within the school
curriculum in order to increase the supply of
skills in these areas for the future.
During the year, FDF joined the Diploma
Champion Network in support of the new
Diploma in Manufacturing and Product
Design and we have signed up to the
Backing Young Britain campaign.
As mentioned earlier, FDF has also
lobbied for the creation of a supermarket
ombudsman and we are delighted that
Government has now agreed to implement
this measure, which we feel will help smaller businesses in membership. We also
joined
other trade bodies in lobbying Government
for a trade credit insurance scheme which
was introduced in April 2009.
In this review
FDF: steered by our members -
- By Jim Moseley, Managing Director, General Mills UK
- By Fiona Dawson, Managing Director, Mars Chocolate UK
- By John Sutcliffe, Chief Executive, ABF Grocery
- By Jonathan Bye, Managing Director, Vimto
- By Paul Freeston, Chief Executive, apetito
Industry in action:
More information