Agentdraw call on Local MP to Support the Plastics Industry

Andrew Robathan Member of Parliament for South Leicestershire and a junior defence minister, recently visited BPF member Agentdraw. The meeting was facilitated as part of the British Plastics Federation’s Campaign to highlight The UK plastics industry as a strategic manufacturing sector.

Andrew Robathan MP met with Darren Parsons, managing director, Agentdraw, Kevin Sheppard, director of Agentdraw and Jonathan Bloom of the BPF. The purpose of the meeting was to highlight the strategic importance of the plastics industry to Mr Robathan’s constituency and in national policy making.

Fundamental to the meeting was the importance of investment in the industry and the obstacles that have been constructed stopping the industry from growing. Darren Parsons called for an improvement in access to funds from banks and Government. Darren stated ‘it is not visible where investment is coming from we call on Government to put pressure on banks to release funds’.

Darren Parsons also stated that ‘capital allowance legislation needs to be reviewed the current policy punishes a company looking to invest in new equipment instead of supporting growth. We would advise Government to introduce the £25k capital allowance rate at the audit level of £6.5million’

It was also highlighted at the meeting that apprenticeship schemes need to be expanded to adults older than 16 to 18 in order to offer apprenticeships to anyone that is interested in working within the industry and gaining a career.

Mr Robathan said ‘The British Plastics Industry has an important role to play in the growth and future development of our British manufacturing base.  Not only do plastics play an essential role in so many business sectors, but they also play a crucial part in our transition towards a greener economy and lifestyle.’

Jonathan Bloom of The British Plastics Federation said ‘I am delighted that Andrew was able to visit one of our members and gain a greater understanding of the industry. The more we reach out to Members of Parliament the more politicians will understand our importance to the UK economy’

ENDS

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Notes for editors:

The 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.

The UK Plastics Industry: A Strategic Manufacturing Sector (Discussion Document) - https://www.bpf.co.uk/press/Strategic_Manufacturing.aspx