The BPF meet the Chancellor George Osborne at Albis UK

On Friday 1st March the Chancellor of the Exchequer the Rt. Hon. George Osborne MP visited constituency business Albis UK and was welcomed by the Managing Director Ian Mills. 

Also present were BPF President Philip Watkins and Director-General Peter Davis because Ian Mills had written to the Chancellor inviting him to visit Albis UK and also discuss the BPF’s initiative to raise awareness of the importance of the Plastics sector in their discussion document “The UK Plastics Industry: A Strategic Manufacturing Sector”.

The Chancellor said he had read the BPF paper and asked what measures would help the plastics industry.  Philip Watkins mentioned our concerns about future security of energy supply and the costs.  Also that much more EfW capacity could meet 10% of our energy needs from unrecyclables.

Peter Davis spoke of skills shortages with Technical Managers particularly hard to find.

The Chancellor asked what Budget measures would help the Plastics Industry.  Philip Watkins asked for VAT on “Green Deal” plastics products to be reduced to 5%.  Peter Davis asked that the next Fuel Duty rise be cancelled and to keep reducing Corporation Tax.  The cuts the Chancellor had already made were very welcome.  Peter Davis also asked for further measures to stimulate house buying by first time buyers.

BPF President Philip Watkins said “This was a most successful meeting.  Firstly the Chancellor toured an impressive plastics company and BPF member Albis UK, which obviously made a good impression on him.  Secondly he was keen to discuss the BPF’s Strategic Sector initiative and could see that the Plastics Industry is key to a successful and growing UK manufacturing sector.  Thirdly we were able to input views and ideas to the Government industrial strategy and his forthcoming Budget on 20th March”.

Manufacturing Summit 28th February

The day before Philip Watkins and Peter Davis had attended the Department for Business’s Manufacturing Summit in Warwickshire.  Key speakers were the Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg MP and Business Secretary Vince Cable MP.  Philip Watkins and Peter Davis took an active part in the debates and workshops.

BPF President Philip Watkins asked that BIS ensure that the strategic and innovative contribution of the Plastics Industry be recognised in their work to strengthen key advanced manufacturing supply chains.

Peter Davis said “we had the opportunity at the Summit to influence manufacturing policy but it was also excellent for networking.  I had good discussions with BIS Minister Michael Fallon MP and BIS Permanent Secretary Martin Donnelly”.

ENDS

Photograph from left: Peter Davis, Philip Watkins, Chancellor of the Exchequer George Osborne MP, Ian Mills, Albis UK

For all media enquiries, BPF logos and images, please contact Philip Law, Public and Industrial Affairs Director on 0207 457 5000 or email [email protected]  

Note to Editor:

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.

To download images of the visit go to http://bit.ly/Yn2J5c