Environment issues
We met with Joan Ruddock MP, Parliamentary Secretary of State for the Environment to discuss a number of issues related to waste and resource efficiency. We stressed that getting the European framework right is crucial to encourage more waste being used as a resource and urged her to continue her support for a clear definition of by-products end of waste criteria within the new Waste Framework Directive.
Within the UK we stressed the need for more business support and advice for resource efficiency as well as getting the right infrastructure in place to help businesses take part in the recycling and recovery of waste. We urged that the direction of future policy on sustainable consumption and production must focus on improving the existing framework conditions for business, stimulating innovation and creating demand for sustainable products and services. For further information, contact Environment Adviser Vanessa Fandrich vfandrich@eef.org.uk
Manufacturing Advisory Group
Chairman Martin Temple attended the last meeting of the Ministerial Advisory Group chaired by the Minister for Competitiveness, Baroness Vadera. The group is comprised of high level stakeholders from industry and is in place to examine the government’s manufacturing strategy and provide direction for future policy to promote the competitiveness of the sector.
Key topics being currently examined are how industry can take up business opportunities form the low carbon economy, promoting skills across the sector, small firms finance and promotion of the science base. For further information, contact Media & Campaigns Manager Mark Swift mswift@eef.org.uk
EU Employment Issues
Earlier this week, EU Employment Ministers reached agreement on both the review of the Working Time Directive and the Temporary Agency Workers Directive. As we have been arguing for many years, the revision to the Working Time Directive retains the individual opt out from the 48 hour average working week although there will now be some quite onerous conditions attached to its use.
However, our recent lobbying efforts seem to have resulted in the removal of the possible threat that this Directive could have led to pressure for the right to request flexible working to be extended to all employees, as well as made it more difficult for employers to reject requests for genuine business reasons.
The agreement on Temporary Agency Workers will now allow the Government to use the recent CBI/TUC Joint Declaration on Agency Work to implement this Directive with, again as a result of our extensive lobbying efforts, occupational pensions and contractual sick pay being able to be excluded from the equal treatment provisions. For further information, contact David Yeandle, EEF Deputy Director of Employment Policy, at dyeandle@eef.org.uk