UK Gross Domestic Product (GDP) Decreased by 2.6% in Nov’20

According to estimated data published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), monthly UK GDP decreased by 2.6% in nov’20, after consecutively increasing for the previous six months.

In nov’20, monthly output in the service sector decreased by 3.4% and by 0.1% in the production sector when compared to oct’20. Meanwhile, monthly output in the construction sector increased by 1.9% during the same period.

Output in the production sector and services sector in nov’20 stood below the pre covid-19 level in feb’20 at 4.7% and 9.9% respectively. However, construction output recovered during the month and stood 0.6% above the feb’20 level.

The production sector fell marginally by 0.1% in nov’20 due to three out of four sub-sectors falling, mining & quarrying by 3.4% and oil & gas extraction by 4.5%. However, the manufacturing sub-sector registered growth of 0.7%, primarily due to an increase in output from motor vehicle manufacturers.

 

Industrial Production in Euro Area Increased by 2.5% in Nov’20

According to a report published by Eurostat, the seasonally adjusted industrial production in nov’20 increased by 2.5% in the euro area and by 2.3% in the European Union (EU) compared to oct’20.

In the euro area, in terms of industrial sectors, production of capital goods increased by 7.0% and intermediate goods by 1.5%, while production of durable consumer goods decreased by 1.2%, non-durable consumer goods by 1.7% and energy by 3.9% in nov’20 compared to oct’20.

In the EU, production of capital goods increased by 6.1% and intermediate goods by 1.4$,%while production of durable and non-durable consumer goods decreased by 1.1% and energy by 2.9% in nov’20, compared to oct’20.

In terms of region, the largest increases in industrial production were registered in Ireland at 52.8%(Can’t verify this number), Greece at 6.3% and Denmark at 5.3%. Meanwhile, the largest decreases were reported in Portugal at 5.1%, Belgium at 3.5% and Croatia at 2.6%.

 

UK Manufacturers focus on building resilience and agility to navigate the risks associated with Brexit

According to the 2021 Make UK?PWC executive survey, which was conducted with 206 companies between 11th nov’20 and 30th nov’20, one-third of the respondents believe that the investment prospects for UK businesses will decrease after Brexit. One-third of the respondents also believe that the UK’s ability to attract international skilled labour will decrease.

Despite concerns over new trade relations between the UK and the EU, 48% of respondents expected a significant or moderate improvement in the manufacturing sector in 2021. The respondents under the ‘individual company’ category also echoed the positive sentiment, with 51% of them expecting that the opportunities will outweigh the risks in the sector.

These positive sentiments have been backed by the strategies adopted by manufacturers to showcase resilience and agility. 40% of the respondents plan to expand in non-EU markets in 2021 with an increased focus on Asia and the UK.

 

Planning application submitted for the development of £300m Smartparc food manufacturing campus

A formal planning application was submitted for the development of Smartparc, a high-tech food manufacturing facility in Derby. The facility is expected to cost £300m and will span across 1.8 million square feet. It is expected to provide space with manufacturing facilities, space for start-ups and a potential facility for a food manufacturing technology centre of excellence. The Smartparc development is also expected to help in the creation of 5,000 jobs.

Derby City Council, in collaboration with d2n2 local enterprise partnership, secured £12m in funding through the government’s getting building fund for the project. Marketing Derby is also involved in planning the process of the development of Smartparc.

 

Adult excess weight & obesity in England

Public Health England (PHE) has published a slide set which presents the latest data on adult excess weight and obesity from the Health Survey for England (HSE). It shows trends in adult overweight, obesity and raised waist circumference and examines patterns of excess weight by age, sex, ethnic group and area deprivation.

 

Helping the food supply chain to find critical workers

The newly launched, Association of Labour Providers ‘Extra Workers Needed Portal’ supports the food supply chain to address critical worker shortages. A short demonstration video may be viewed here.

Despite rising unemployment figures, ALP’s recent labour supply survey identified that 92% of food growers and manufacturers believe there will be insufficient critical workers to meet the food supply chain’s needs in 2021.
Labour challenges are currently further exacerbated by higher Covid related absence rates.

The ‘Extra Workers Needed Portal’ is one way that the ALP is helping the food supply chain to meet this challenge. It’s a straightforward concept – any food supply chain business that needs extra workers can post their requirements for free in the portal and be contacted by UK wide and local GLAA licensed ALP labour providers that can supply them.

David Camp, ALP Chief Executive says, ‘This portal is a quick and easy way for businesses to reach hundreds of licensed labour providers across the UK, maximising their chances of sourcing the right number and quality of workers at the right time.  From a farm needing a few workers, to a food producer or distribution warehouse needing hundreds, the portal is freely available for all businesses to use.’

Businesses can register to use the portal here.

About ALP

ALP is the specialist trade association promoting responsible recruitment and good practice for organisations that source and supply the workforce to the food processing, agricultural and wider consumer goods supply chain.

Contact: David Camp ¦ Chief Executive ¦ Association of Labour Providers ¦ T 01276 509306 ¦ E info@labourproviders.org.uk ¦ W www.labourproviders.org.uk

 

 

Workplace Testing: Introductory Webinar with Defra and DHSC – PowerPoint Slides and Next Steps are Attached:

Introduction to LFD Testing in the Workplace – Defra – 11 Jan 21

 

 

Brexit-Recorded webinars and resources

A recording of the recent DAFM webinar on SPS checks for goods entering Ireland is available. You can access it by registering here: https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/2688735151720478477.

A recording of the recent Borders and Protocol Delivery Group (BPDG) webinar on exporting via the Short Straits will be uploaded to this page: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/help-and-support-if-your-business-trades-with-the-eu

The BPDG have also shared the webinar slides and a list of useful links for those moving goods into the EU

 

Pre-Notification of arrival using TRACES-NT If you move SPS goods – such as live animals, products of animal origin (POAO), high-risk food not of animal origin and plants and plant products – from GB to NI you need to ensure you follow relevant rules and make sure you and your receiver of goods in NI complete all required documentation or your goods may delayed or even refused entry. Please read this detailed guidance on pre-notification.   Exports to the EU: Customs/handling Agents Following several meetings with the French authorities held to identify the key documentation shortfalls, could we please remind you of the requirement that you have a designated customs/import agent in order to send a consignment to the EU. This agent has to be based in the EU and should notify the BCP of the arrival of any consignment you send to the EU. We have been asked by the French in particular to draw your attention to the need for that  agent both to be available to be contacted to answer questions on your behalf and in some circumstances to be available to attend the BCP in person. For those of you who are used to exporting product from the UK to 3rd party countries outside the EU this will be familiar. What it does mean is that your agent needs to be relatively local to the BCP by which your consignment is entering, or at least to have an arrangement with an agent who is. We are aware that there is significant pressure on these agents and it may not be easy to find someone to take on this role, but we wanted to draw your attention to this need and to the risk that if there are any issues with your consignment at the BCP of entry then without a suitable agent who is contactable and available if necessary it may be more difficult to address whatever the issue is. Close working with this agent is critical to a smooth entry as one of the main causes of non-compliance is inconsistency between the details entered on the notification on TRACES and those on the Export Health or Phytosanitary Certificate. Could we also please draw to your attention that when sending consignments into France you must enter the notification number off TRACES into the French smart customs system – this is what helps them determine which lorries enter which lane on arrival in France and without it your consignment is likely to be delayed at best.   Traces approval number – approved establishments for export to the EU Exporters wishing to send Products of Animal Origin (POAO), Animal by-products (ABP) or Germinal Products to the European Union (EU) must have their Exporting Business approved in order to do this. Approval is given by the Food Standards Agency (FSA), Food Standards Scotland (FSS), or the Animal & Plant Health Agency (APHA) depending upon the commodity. Once approval has been granted, the Exporting Business are allocated a unique identification number (TRACES approval number). This number is recorded on the EU’s TRACES NT system, along with the business details and its approved activities. This TRACES approval number must be used to fully complete required Export Health Certificates (EHC). Approved exporting businesses who do not know their TRACES/approval number can find it by following this link: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/businesses-approved-to-export-to-the-eu   Ensure correct paperwork for exports of animals and products of animal origin Read this summary of requirements to help make sure you have the correct paperwork.     HSE eBulletin Issued: 15 January 2021   Please see below for important information on health and safety spot checks and inspections during national lockdown.   For all the latest information and advice on health and safety during the pandemic, please visit our coronavirus website. Spot checks and inspections continuing during coronavirus pandemic HSE is continuing to conduct spot checks and inspections on all types of businesses and workplaces. With the increase in the number of coronavirus cases and the national lockdown restrictions now in place, all businesses that continue to operate must ensure their workplace is COVID-secure.   To protect workers, visitors and customers, employers must make sure that everyone is following the measures that have been put in place to manage the risks from coronavirus.   During lockdown, HSE will continue to carry out spot checks and inspections on businesses and will be increasing the number of calls and visits to check COVID-secure measures have been implemented in accordance with government guidance.   This includes all businesses which are continuing to operate with people coming into the workplace during this critical period.   During the calls and visits, HSE provides advice and guidance to manage risk and protect workers and visitors, but where businesses are not managing this, we will take immediate action. This can range from the provision of specific advice, issuing enforcement notices, stopping certain work practices until they are made safe and, where businesses fail to comply, this could lead to prosecution.   Being COVID-secure means businesses need to keep up to date with the latest guidance and put measures in place to manage the risk and protect workers, visitors and customers.   Please ensure your workplace is safe by following the guidance on being COVID-secure. Further information on spot checks and inspections is available on our website.