FDF unveils post-referendum priorities
In the wake of the UK’s decision to exit the European Union (EU), the Food and Drink Federation has outlined its priorities for action, which include access to labour and boosting productivity.
At the organisation’s first convention taking place today, Ian Wright CBE, director general at FDF, said access to the free trade agreements with third countries that the EU has secured and access to labour are also among the key priorities in the post-referendum era.
They also include boosting productivity, regulatory stability and a call for government action to provide certainty, reduce burdens on business and help boost competitiveness.
Food and drink manufacturing is facing skills gaps in key technical and scientific areas, as well as an ageing workforce, with 130,000 new employees needed by 2024.
“The government must therefore develop a new migration policy that ensures manufacturers will have continued access to the workers we need to address a looming skills gap – and the drive for future innovation to support the UK’s competitive advantage,” Wright said.
“We believe the best way of achieving this is to retain the free movement of labour without disincentives for people coming to the UK to work. This would help to ensure continued rapid transfer of expert knowledge to the UK which helps to build the skills level in the UK’s workforce.”
Meanwhile, at its Summer Reception at the House of Commons, London, yesterday, FDF also launched a project designed to help the sector boost productivity. The key findings and business actions under the project, which forms part of Sir Charlie Mayfield’s Productivity Review, have been identified in a new report titled Unlocking Talent – The Key to Driving Food and Drink Productivity.
Addressing the audience, Dame Fiona Kendrick, CEO of Nestlé UK and FDF president, said, “Our priorities are to increase the quantity and quality of our apprenticeships, improve our engagement with schools and our collaboration with Higher and Further Education and showcase the exciting career opportunities on offer.”
John Stevenson MP, chair of the APPG for food & drink manufacturing, added, “The food and drink manufacturing sector is in a prime position to help government boost productivity and grow exports.
“Through initiatives such as the industry supported MEng and BEng Food Engineering degrees at Sheffield Hallam University and ambition to increase apprenticeship numbers by a third, food and drink manufacturers are investing in their future workforce. Now is the time to increase activity.”
