As the UK leaves the European Union, it will need to develop its own independent trade policy that fits with a wider industrial strategy. This includes developing a system of trade remedies, the instruments that are used to combat market distortions (such as dumping and subsidised exports) that disrupt genuine free trade and that are…
The TUC recently published a new policy document, ‘Powering Ahead: How UK industry can match Europe’s environmental leaders’. This document sets out a path to a sustainable industrial strategy, in which ‘sustainable’ describes the economic, social and environmental challenges facing companies, workers and the wider world. The British Ceramic Confederation (BCC) agrees with the TUC…
In the Autumn Statement more Enterprise Zones were announced, including “Ceramic Valley” in the Stoke and Staffordshire LEP. For our members making construction product materials it should currently be a no-brainer to invest in extra manufacturing capacity, given: Cross-party agreement on the need for much more housing; with strong signals of continued robust demand. Enhanced…
When HM Treasury published its definition of environmental taxes the Economic Secretary, Chloe Smith MP said: “…This Government is already on track to double the proportion of environmental tax revenue by the end of the Parliament. … We want a clear approach that delivers a positive environmental impact without adding burdens onto business or households.”…
A new report (pdf) for the TUC and Energy Intensive Users Group says that energy intensive companies must innovate to survive, and calls on the government to make sure there is a place for them in its plans for the low carbon economy of the future. Employers and unions want to support the successful transition…