BPF Critical of Heseltine Report

Peter Davis, Director-General of the British Plastics Federation said “Lord Heseltine's report is substantial with 89 recommendations and will be given careful consideration by us and the Department of Business. The BPF submitted a paper to the Review and is acknowledged in it. Nevertheless it has major shortcomings and mis-reads the situation."

On Lord Heseltine’s proposals to Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEP’s) Peter Davis said “The jury is still out on the effectiveness of LEP’s with their current powers.  We should not rush to give them more.”

“We do agree that the Government must control large infrastructure projects such as energy networks to ensure they deliver on time.”

Lord Heseltine writes (para5.13) “The UK’s business representative bodies only skim the surface of the business population because levels of membership and engagement are low, and the business voice fragmented.”

Peter Davis said “This is certainly not true of the Plastics Industry where our members account for 75% of our industry by turnover and employees and we the BPF provide a strong and respected voice for them.”

Lord Heseltine also wrote: (para 5.52) “All too often however, the role of trade associations can play in developing the capabilities of their member companies is neglected in favour of lobbying.  In the nature of things, that can encourage a dialogue that is centred on the problems of the slowest ships in the convoy.”

Peter Davis responded “If politicians listened to us more we might not have to spend time on lobbying!

If I look at the current issues we are lobbying on for example unrealistically high plastic packaging targets from DEFRA and looming energy supply problems – they affect the smallest and largest companies in our industry.”

ENDS

For all media enquiries, BPF logos and images, please contact Philip Law, on 0207 457 5011 or Email: [email protected]

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.