Treasury Minister
John Healey MP, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, asked to see us to discuss our recent report on the performance of the Regional Development Agencies (RDAs). As the Minister at the Treasury with lead responsibility for productivity and manufacturing related issues he has a keen interest in RDAs with relation to the forthcoming Spending Review. We briefed him on the main findings of the report, especially the need for greater clarity in RDA objectives and increased cross region collaboration in areas such as export promotion and technology transfer. The appropriate level of RDA involvement in skills and key strategic issues such as planning and transport was also covered. Separately, we also discussed policy proposals we have developed to improve links between government procurement and innovation, as well as the need for any economic instruments introduced in respect of climate change policy not to disadvantage industrial competitiveness. For further information, contact Campaigns Adviser Nick Bowes nbowes@eef.org.uk
Conservative Quality of Life Group
We met with the Rt Hon John Gummer MP, the Chairman of the Conservative Party ‘Quality of Life’ Working Group. This is one of a number of groups set up to examine various aspects of policy and make recommendations, though these are advisory and not necessarily binding in respect of the development of ‘official’ Conservative policy. The ‘Quality of Life’ group examines mainly issues related to the environment, climate change and waste. During the meeting we stressed our positive approach to all these areas and the need to see industry as a partner in developing solutions, rather than adopting policies which target industry as the problem. In particular, we argued that climate change policy must balance the need to tackle environmental issues without damaging the competitiveness of industry. Following the meeting it was agreed that we would receive drafts of relevant policy areas for further comment. For further information, contact Chief Economist Steve Radley sradley@eef.org.uk
DTI Permanent Secretary
Our regular quarterly meeting was held with Sir Brian Bender, Permanent Secretary at the Department for Trade & Industry. With the imminent change of Prime Minister and, rumours of Whitehall re-organisation, we discussed the implications of this for both EEF and manufacturing. We suspect there will be some changes though we are waiting to assess their extent and the impact they will have on business support in particular. We also discussed our recent letters to the Secretary of State and the Chancellor regarding resistance the resurrection of the Agency Workers Directive, as well as consultations on the energy white paper. For further information contact Campaigns Adviser Steve Coventry scoventry@eef.org.uk
Health & Safety
Our position as a leading authority in the field of workplace health & safety was reflected in the Health & Safety Executive asking us to jointly launch European Health & Safety Week at Broadway House. The event, attended by a large number of key stakeholders, was led by Lord Mackenzie, the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State with responsibility for health & safety issues and our Director of Health, Safety & Environment, Gary Booton. Each year a different theme relating to health & safety at work is chosen for a European wide campaign to provide awareness and information. This year it focuses on Muscular Skeletal Disorders and manual handling. This remains the most common cause of occupational ill health with 190,000 new cases reported to the HSE last year. We have previously done considerable work in this area and plan to offer support by publishing on our website examples of good practice and effective solutions that we have developed with member companies. The week itself runs from 22-26 October, although companies are encouraged to start planning their activities now so that initiatives are well established. Further information can be found on the HSE website http://www.hse.gov.uk/campaigns/euroweek/index.htm. For further information contact Health & Safety Adviser Louise Ward lward@eef.org.uk