CBI fight UK 'thrombosis'
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THE CONFEDERATION of British Industry's newly agreed policy to oppose the Government's 20p increase in dery duty got its first public airing on Monday night, when CBI director general Sir Terence Beckett spoke at the Freight Transport Association's annual dinner.
He reaffirmed his "bare knuckles" reputation when he said: "The CBI is with you all the way. The increase in duty will be an added burden of £290m a year for freight transport, and will inevitably be reflected in the price of everything bought and sold by British businesses."
Not surprisingly, his sentiments were endorsed by FTA president Len" Payne who warned that every penny of tax on dery should carry a health warning hazard sign, saying "danger -thrombosis of the nation".
He urged Chancellor Sir Geoffrey Howe to reverse the decision to raise dery duty at the earliest opportunity, and accused Sir Geoffrey of forgetting that distribution costs represent, on average, 15 per cent of industrial costs.
Both speakers referred to the need for industrial production to be raised in order to achieve economic recovery, and Sir Terence said: "If we are going to improve the competitiveness of British trade and industry, then it requires single-mindedness and determination by all of us management, unions, employers, and Government."