The British papermakers' association says that government action is to be taken in order to bolster the UK manufacturing sector and to keep its paper industry internationally competitive. Besides infrastructure and funding, energy is one of the key points.
The Confederation of Paper Industries (CPI) outlines two specific measures that the UK’s paper industry would like to see in the Queen’s Speech. Firstly, CPI proposes that HM government will bring forward measures to bolster UK manufacturing. Specifically, the association said measures should include "a review of all energy and environmental measures and their cumulative direct and indirect effects on the Energy Intensive Sectors, early implementation of measures to speed up the planning process" and "investment in infrastructure". Moreover, other action such as "a review of Capital Allowances to encourage inward investment" and "more support for exporters" is needed, because government action to boost manufacturing has so far been piecemeal, selective and insufficient, CPI explains.
Secondly, CPI proposes that "HM government will bring forward measures to implement an energy policy based on the principles of ensuring continuity of supply at lowest cost". Energy and climate change policies have become inextricably linked which has added both directly and indirectly to energy costs both for industry and the household consumer and these costs are set to rise even further and faster from 2013 onwards, CPI explains, stating that one "cannot expect our industries to remain internationally competitive if we continue to pursue policies that will add to our manufacturing cost base, whilst other nations are free to exploit cheaper alternatives."
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