Barclays Economic Update: UK manufacturing PMI stood at 47.8 in apr’20

According to HIS Markit, the UK manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) stood at 47.8 in mar’20 compared to 51.7 in feb’20.

Manufacturers reported that disruption resulting from the covid-19 outbreak, lower market confidence and company shutdowns had contributed to the decline in production and new business.

The decrease in total new order intakes reflected reduced demand from both domestic and overseas markets. New export business declined to the greatest extent since jul’12, as the outbreak of covid-19 led to lower demand from across the global economy.

Employment decreased for the eleventh time in the past 12 months in mar’20, and at the fastest rate since jul’09. Restrictions around the world in response to the covid-19 pandemic had a noticeable impact on supply chains during mar’20.

Purchasing activity decreased due to lower levels of input buying, falling output requirements, reduced demand and efforts to protect cash flow.  

Apprenticeships are likely to collapse amid coronavirus

After the announcement that apprentices would be allowed to carry on their training, the private companies training them in England issued an urgent plea for a policy change on funding.

Government policy on the covid-19 crisis and apprenticeships is considered to be disjointed. Training providers in England stated that they are close to collapse because they are not provided with funds allocated by the Cabinet Office.

Private training firms accounted for 70% of apprenticeship training, with the rest provided by colleges of further education.

The Department for Education stated that further education colleges would continue to receive funding, even though they have been closed by government edict. However, private training companies would have to fall back on emergency business support programmes such as loans and the job retention scheme.  

GLAA launched temporary labour scheme amid coronavirus pandemic

The Gangmasters and Labour Abuse Authority (GLAA) has introduced a temporary licensing scheme for up to three months to ensure food supply is able to run as smoothly as possible during the coronavirus outbreak.

The GLAA revealed that temporary licences for food production would be granted to businesses operating within the wider labour supply industry in addition to supporting labour providers who currently hold GLAA licences.

It is expected that applications must be sponsored by an existing GLAA licence-holder, who is likely to carry out due diligence checks.

Additionally, if temporary licence-holders wished to supply workers for a longer period, they must complete the licence application form and pay the application fee before the end of the three months. (food manufacturer

The latest guidance on the use of facemasks has been published by Public Health England and can be found here This makes clear face masks are only required in a clinical environment.

Use of face masks in the community

There is very little evidence of widespread benefit from the use of face masks outside of the clinical or care settings, where they play a very important role.

To be effective, face masks must be worn correctly, changed frequently, removed properly, disposed of safely and used in combination with good universal hygiene behaviour.

Research shows that compliance with these recommended behaviours reduces over time when wearing face masks for prolonged periods, such as in the community.

Therefore, PHE does not advise masks in public places and for those working in supermarkets, waste collection, schools and similar settings.

PHE recommends that employers should ensure that:

• spaces in the workplace are optimised to allow social distancing to occur, wherever possible
• signs are visible in the workplace reminding employees not to attend work if they have a fever or cough and to avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands
• employees are provided with hand sanitiser for frequent use and regular breaks to allow them to wash their hands for 20 seconds

The UK does not currently advise use of face masks outside of care settings, in line with PPE guidance.

PHE will continually review guidance in line with emerging evidence and WHO views, and update our guidance if new evidence suggests that we should do so.

Campden BRI remains open for business. Campden continues to support the food industry with analytical capacity, consultancy, access to experts, use of pilot plant, on-line training and development, so are able to remain open. Campden has introduced many measures to maintain continuity of service. Contact Enquiry Handling Team (+44(0)1386 842291 support@campdenbri.co.uk) – even if you are not sure whether we can help.

FDF Webinar: COVID -19: Health & Safety Aspects of Increased Production, Strained Resources and Producing New or Different Products, 9 April 2020 

This webinar presented by Professional Affiliate Squire Patton Boggs specialists will present on key risks and safeguards associated with the health and safety of employees and others, in connection with issues commonly facing food and drink manufacturers during the COVID-19 crisis. In particular, the webinar will address health and safety aspects of expanding production to meet increased demand, the impact of workforce availability (and other resource issues) and considerations if you are looking to produce new or different products to help with the response to COVID-19, using spare production capacity/ facilities.

Presenters Rob Elvin Rob Biddlecombe

Please Register »

 

HSE eBulletin

Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Stakeholder Bulletin 2 April 2020 Welcome to the HSE Stakeholder Bulletin for Coronavirus (COVID-19). It provides a round-up of recent information and guidance updates for employers and businesses on workplace health and safety issues to support the UK response to Coronavirus (COVID-19).   For all the latest guidance and information for employers and employees, visit our website which is updated regularly.

HSE is working closely with The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and Public Health England (PHE) who are leading the UK government response to the coronavirus outbreak. PHE has developed guidance specifically for employers and businesses about coronavirus.   Public health services and some workplace support, and therefore aspects of COVID-19 guidance, are devolved. There is specific information for businesses and employers in Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. Contents HSE issues exemption for the manufacture and supply of biocidal hand sanitiser products in UK Updates and guidance Request for stakeholder feedback HSE issues exemption for manufacture of biocidal hand sanitiser in UK HSE is working closely with other government agencies, manufacturers and their trade associations to help ensure that they can continue to meet the increased demand for vital active substances. Some of the UK’s existing manufacturers of biocidal hand sanitiser products have reported that they are facing significant challenges to their normal supply chains.   This is because of increasing demand for the raw ingredients needed to meet unprecedented and urgent demand during the coronavirus outbreak.   HSE has taken steps to support hand sanitiser manufacturers. New updates and guidance Working across government and listening to the key questions you have on health and safety in the workplace during the pandemic, we have published updated information on PPE, RPE and extension of divers’ certificates of medical fitness.     Research review of personal protective equipment provided in health care settings to manage risk during coronavirus outbreak Following a request from the government’s Chief Scientific Adviser, HSE’s Professor Andrew Curran convened a group of experts from HSE and Public Health England (PHE) to conduct a rapid review to consider international evidence supporting the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) within health care settings in the context of coronavirus.   Respiratory protective equipment (RPE) guidance on face fit testing HSE has guidance available on face fit testing and the measures that should be taken to minimise the risk of coronavirus transmission. A fit test should be carried out before employees wear RPE for the first time. Follow our guidance on additional measures to minimise the risk of transmission during face-fit testing.   Extension for diver’s certificate of medical fitness Guidance is available on the qualifying grounds for extending divers’ certificates of medical fitness where they will expire soon. If a diver has a 12 months certificate of medical fitness to dive which expires on or after 16 March 2020, and cannot get a medical re-examination with an approved medical examiner of divers (AMED) because of coronavirus, their certificate may be accepted until 1 June 2020. Be part of the national effort: sharing feedback and telling us what you think We welcome information from employers on how your business and workforce is being impacted and any actions you have put in place to address this. Also please let us know if there are any gaps in the government response from  your business’ perspective.   Please share your feedback by emailing us.   We are aware that individual company information may be commercially sensitive, and we will treat it accordingly. We can’t respond to requests for advice from this inbox. HSE’s website has guidance on health and safety.   Please share this bulletin with other employers who may benefit.   All the latest guidance, information and announcements on the UK response to Coronavirus can be found on GOV.UK.