Conservatives briefed
We met with Chris Grayling MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Work & Pensions to brief him on a number of current issues. We stressed our continued support for package of reforms to the UK’s pensions system and the need to maintain cross party consensus.
Whilst some of our concerns have been addressed during the Pensions Bill’s passage through Parliament, there are still some outstanding issues including the need to provide some initial financial assistance when personal accounts are introduced. We also discussed the default retirement age and our view that this should be retained to allow employers to plan manpower issues, welfare reform and health & safety issues including electromagnetic fields and optical radiation. For further information contact Head of Employment Policy, David Yeandle
Sub National Review
EEF Chairman, Martin Temple, hosted a meeting of the Chairs of the Regional Development Agencies to discuss a number of key topics, in particular the sub national review of regional economic development. We have a number of concerns that the consultation on the implementation of the Review, published in the spring, shows the government has retreated from some of its original proposals made last year for reform in this area.
We believe that the consultation document still fails to set out how to reconcile business-led RDAs that are gaining new and enhanced responsibilities, with a democratic deficit at the regional level. We accept that there is no simple answer to the problem but hope that our submission offers a balanced way forward. Moreover, it is essential that RDAs should remain business-led, and we would not support any watering down of this position. For further information contact Campaigns Adviser Nick Bowes
WEEE guidance
We believe that many firms remain unaware of their obligations under the WEEE (Waste, Electrical and Electronic Equipment) Regulations and are facing the threat of unlimited fines. It is now one year since companies became responsible for recovery of products at the end of their life and we believe many firms continue to struggle to understand the requirements in the absence of proper guidance.
Under the Regulations, producers of electrical and electronic equipment are financially responsible for the recovery and recycling of the equipment at the end of life. However, the definition of where the ultimate responsibility lies has been far from clear as supply chains are often complex and identifying where the full producer obligations fall has been difficult. As part of our own efforts to raise awareness amongst companies we have updated our guidance on WEEE which is available free from our website.
For further information contact Environment Adviser Vanessa Fandrich
Environmental affairs
We held our annual Health, Safety & Environment away day in conjunction with the Environment Agency at their Bristol office this week. As a key stakeholder with the Agency this allows us to develop further the strong relationship between the manufacturing sector and the Regulator and the meeting gave member companies who attended an invaluable insight into the inner workings of the Environment Agency and how that relates to them.
The focus of the 2 day event was on ‘how does environmental regulation affect the reality of manufacturing (process and behaviour) and drive greater resource efficiency. The occasion gave member companies the opportunity to bring home the real issues faced by companies in dealing with environmental matters in discussion with senior officials including Ed Mitchell, Head of Environmental Protection Policy and Regulation and Martin Bigg, Head of Industrial Regulation. For further information, contact Head of Environment Gareth Stace
Media work
Our Head of Employment Policy, David Yeandle, did a number of media interviews this week in connection with a European Court of Justice ruling on the retirement age. In appearances on BBC Business Breakfast, News 24 and BBC World, he took the opportunity to express our view that the default age should be retained for planning purposes with the need to provide employers and employees with the flexibility to carry on working past 65 if agreed.
He also commented separately in the Financial Times on proposals from the European Commission for more company disclosures to works councils. For further information, contact Media & Campaigns Manager Mark Swift