BPF Warns MPs of Recession's Effects

BPF meets leading MPs to warn of the effects of the recession

Following on from the BPF's meeting with the Bank of England on 27th January, key BPF staff have been engaging with leading MPs and Government officials to warn of the effects of the recession on the industry and to urge the adoption of the BPF’s Recession Action Group’s proposals to government (see attached).

On Friday 30th January, junior Home Office Minister and BPF constituency MP Meg Hillier visited the industry body’s offices and was told of the immense opportunity for innovation using plastics and of the BPF's drive to assist UK export. Next week the BPF is taking 17 UK exhibitors to Plastindia, New Dehli (4-9 February 2009), together with a further 15 companies on a Trade Mission sponsored by RAPRA Ltd.

Armed with evidence from the BPF’s Business Conditions Survey, Director-General, Peter Davis and Business Development Manager, Steve Hunt briefed Hillier on the how the recession has been affecting the industry so far and presented her with the proposals of the BPF’s Recession Action Group.

Hillier said she was particularly keen to ensure that the Government were financially supporting and encouraging plastics innovation and that she would review the BPF's proposals to Government. Hillier went on to stress that Lord Mandelson the Business Secretary was keen to do all he could to help manufacturing.

In the same week Davis and Public and Industrial Affairs Director, Philip Law met with Shadow Minister for International Trade and Development, Geoffrey Clifton- Browne MP together with the Chairman of the Commons Select Committee on Business and Enterprise, Peter Luff MP. Luff commenting on the BPF's proposals to Government wrote: ‘the proposals you list I am largely sympathetic to’.

Davis also met with BERR's Business Relations Director Simon Edmonds on Thursday to talk him through the BPF proposals and the pressing need for Government action.

ENDS

For further information on this press release, please contact Anthony Roberts, British Plastics Federation, 6 Bath Place, Rivington Street, London, EC2A 3JE, tel 020 7457 5043, fax 020 7457 5045, email: [email protected]

Notes for editors:

1) A picture of the meeting with Meg Hillier is available on request from Anthony Roberts [email protected]

2) British Plastics Federation (BPF) is the UK trade association for the plastics industry – representing the whole supply chain including polymer producers, distributors, additives suppliers, machinery manufacturers, processors and recyclers.