The alliance of Nine Associations has asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer to implement "a package of measures” that will advance the sustainability of UK manufacturing.

The alliance has written to Gordon Brown making recommendations for the 2007 Budget, ahead of his Pre-Budget announcement to the House of Commons on 6 December.

The proposals include: real action to reduce excessive regulation on manufacturing, the restoration of UK Trade and Investment support for exporting, and a review of the effectiveness of DTI’s manufacturing forum.

While acknowledging the long-term economic effects of climate change outlined in the Stern Review, the alliance has warned against it being used as an “excuse for extra green taxation on industry.”

In calling for the Treasury to reduce the regulatory burden facing the 6,150 companies represented by the alliance, the Nine Associations want to see civil servants re-trained so they do not “gold plate” the implementation of new laws. (According to a BPF spokesperson, gold plating refers to the practice of creating an administrative system for a piece of EU legislation that is both over-elaborate and goes beyond the minimum standards required.)

Peter Davis, the BPF’s director general and spokesman for the Nine Associations, said: “We have made it clear to the Chancellor that Government support for manufacturing is now more crucial than ever… if things are set to improve, now is the time for Gordon Brown to support us.”

The nine members of the association are: BPF British Plastics Federation, BRMA British Rubber Manufacturers Association, PIFA Packaging and Industrial Films Association, BCF British Coatings Federation, FPA Flexible Packaging Association, SPRA Scottish Plastics and Rubber Association, NIPA Northern Ireland Polymers Association, GTMA Guage and Toolmakers Association, PMMDA Polymer Machinery Manufacturers and Distributors Association.

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