Party Manifestos Under BPF Microscope
Monday, 19 April 2010
The BPF has reviewed the Manifestos of the three main political parties for their potential effects on the Plastics Industry.
Peter Davis , BPF Director- General, said of the Labour Party manifesto,
"We fully support the proposal for a Finance for Growth fund which will particularly assist SMEs needing capital injections. Also welcome is a commitment to increase the size of capital allowances which will help stimulate the largely moribund capital investment in our industry."
"We query whether '400,000 new green jobs by 2015' is really achievable and regret that the Government haven't heeded our request to scrap next year's NICS increase which will harm the recovery."
"Labour's plans to double to four weeks paid paternity leave will badly affect the productivity and costs of small businesses."
Mr Davis commented on the Conservative Party manifesto:
"We welcome their commitment to scrap most of the NICS increase and their public sector efficiency savings to tackle our huge deficit. However, many more severe cutbacks will be required."
"Also welcome is their promise to cut and simplify business taxes. We have said for years that our complex business taxation is harming our country's competitiveness. Improving the performance of UKTI to boost our Export achievements is also vital,"
"We have opposed fuel duty increases during the recession and the Conservatives proposed 'Fair fuel stabiliser' would cut fuel duty when oil prices rise and vice versa. We would prefer the Duty to stay cut. We welcome their pledge to abolish any Quango (there are 700) that does not perform a technical function or acts independently to establish facts. However, the real test should be do they impartially deliver anything useful and are they value for money?
"We hope the housing market will be stimulated by raising the Stamp Duty threshold to £250k for first time buyers. The Government will do it for two years; the Conservatives say it will be permanent if they take power."
"Building on their Energy Strategy the Conservatives appreciate the urgency of providing more gas storage and power generation. But will it be in time to avoid power cuts in 2015-17?"
Looking at the Liberal-Democrats Manifesto Peter Davis said:
"Like the other Parties they make pledges on increasing domestic energy efficiency. The "Eco-Cash-Back' for double glazing and up to £10k per home for insulation could benefit plastic products."
"The Liberal Democrats are the only Party to commit themselves to 'reducing excess packaging' to help end the use of landfill. Both the Liberals and the Tories would scrap plastic identify cards which the present Government plans to introduce."
"The Liberals foolishly reject a new generation of nuclear power stations. We will not get security of UK energy supply without nuclear power."
Peter Davis said, "The Lib Dem's past proposal to do away with the DTI (now BIS) sensibly does not appear in this Manifesto."
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