Net Zero: The Food and Drink Federation (FDF) has today launched its handbook to help food and drink manufacturers on their journeys to Net Zero.
The ‘Achieving Net Zero’ handbook outlines how the FDF and the food and drink sector can address these challenges, and provides practical guidance for food and drink manufacturers, particularly those at the early stages of developing their climate strategy.
COP26 in Glasgow comes at a pivotal time as the food and drink industry looks to address both the causes and consequences of climate change, ambitiously aiming to move towards Net Zero. While the industry is already making great progress, as highlighted in the FDF’s most recent Ambition 2025 report, this brand-new tool will support, and guide businesses make even more crucial steps to reach Net Zero.
UK Manufacturing PMI Increased to 57.8 in Oct’21
According to data published by HIS Markit/CIPS, seasonally adjusted UK manufacturing purchasing managers’ index (PMI) increased to 57.8 in oct’21 from 57.1 in sep’21. The PMI index increased for the first time in five months.
The upturn in the PMI was driven by improved growth of new orders and employment, alongside an increase in stocks of purchases and lengthier vendor lead times. However, the manufacturing output growth rate slowed down at the start of q4’21, due to rising supply chain delays, staff shortages and decreasing intakes of new export work.
New export business decreased marginally for the second successive month in oct’21 as some overseas clients cancelled or postponed orders due to longer lead times. However, the domestic market performed better in comparison to overseas market. Overall new order intakes increased, linked to economic growth and clients increasing purchases to avoid expected supply chain delays and further price increases.
In oct’21, the UK manufacturing sector outlook remained positive with c.62% of companies expecting their output to increase over the coming year. This outlook is attributed to recoveries in both domestic and global economic conditions, reduced difficulties from supply chains, reduced economic disruptions and an increase in planned investment spending.
Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID): Following the move to the OHID from PHE, OHID are continuing current workstreams including the reformulation programmes and supporting DHSC with technical input for the advertising and promotions policies.
The final monitoring report for the sugar reduction programme has been delayed until early 2022, and they are considering their proposed next steps.
Defra Labour market survey
The aim of this survey is to collect accurate and representative data on the current state of the labour market in key sectors of the UK economy. This data will be used to make an assessment of the extent to which supply of labour is meeting demand and to understand the main drivers behind any shortfall in the supply of labour. This is a weekly survey and will run from Friday 5 November (today) until Thursday 11 November.
Due to the sensitivity of this data this survey is completely anonymous and we will not be sharing the raw data outside of central government. Any presentation or use of the data will only be across government.
This survey aims to take a snapshot of the situation at a specific point in time to provide a consistent picture across all businesses. It should take no longer than 15 minutes to complete this survey.
Reminders: Import controls
New requirements for importing products of animal origin and animal by-products come into force from 1 January 2022. To support you with preparing for these changes, we will be hosting webinars from November 2021.
These webinars will cover:
- New requirements from 1 January 2022 and the steps to undertake to continue importing from the EU
- Pre-notification and the information you require to pre-notify using the Import of Products, Animals, Food and Feed System (IPAFFS). The webinar will also include a step-by-step demonstration of how to complete a pre-notification
- Updated information on specific policies and commodities
We have updated our microsite to include FAQs to questions from previous webinars and enquiries we’ve received directly from businesses. Please take some time to look at the microsite ahead of the webinars to check whether your questions have already been answered.
There will be a short Q&A session at the end of each webinar.
Webinars
Key information and guidance is available on our microsite and on the Gov.uk webpages.
If you cannot find the information you need, please contact: traders@defra.gov.uk.
Plastic Packaging Tax
Guidance
HMRC has published the first part of the Plastic Packaging Tax’s (PPT) full guidance. Further additions to the full guidance will be published in stages later this year, and we will communicate these as they become available.
Webinars
Introduction to PPT covering how the tax will operate – recording available here, with an additional webinar added for 1:45pm on 22 November. Sign up here.
Get ready for PPT covering administration and technical aspects and exemptions – recording available here with spaces still available for the webinar taking place at 11:45am on 12 November. Sign up here.
PPT further secondary legislation for technical consultation
The Government welcomes feedback on whether the legislation works as intended. The technical consultation on the further draft secondary legislation is now available at GOV.UK and runs until 11:45am on 1 December. Please provide any comments to indirecttaxdesign.team@hmrc.gov.uk
Autumn Budget 2021
The Budget included a measure for PPT. You can read more about this technical change in the updated Tax Information and Impact Note
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