The UK’s number one manufacturing exporter, the chemical industry, has this morning published its Brexit manifesto (http://ow.ly/S4Mh305mh0d). In the document - Exiting the European Union – the sector calls for action in four key areas:

• Tariff-free access to the single market
• The availability of skilled people
• The supply of competitive and secure energy
• A policy framework that encourages scientific progress, leading to sustainable growth

Steve Elliott, Chief Executive of the Chemical Industries Association said: “In common with many internationally competitive sectors of the UK economy, the chemical industry wants to retain tariff free access to the single market and a reassurance that it can continue to retain and recruit a skilled workforce from both within and outside the country.  In addition, we need to ensure that in leaving the EU we retain a competitively priced and secure energy base and a science policy and supporting framework that incentivises innovation and growth.

Bringing these four elements together offers the most persuasive case for chemical and pharmaceutical companies to continue investing with confidence in the UK, boosting growth and employment throughout the country”. 

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For further information and/or comment from Steve Elliott please call Simon Marsh 07951 389197 or Luke Symns 0207 963 6791.

Steve Elliott will be giving evidence to the House of Lords EU External Affairs Sub-Committee http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/lords-select/eu-external-affairs-subcommittee/ on 20 October

The chemical and pharmaceutical industry adds £15 billion of value to the UK economy every year from total annual turnover of around £50 billion.

The UK is a leading global chemical and pharmaceutical producer.

The chemical and pharmaceutical sector is the UK’s largest manufacturing export earner with annual exports of close to £50 billion.

Over £4 billion of capital and R&D investment is made by UK chemical and pharmaceutical companies.

The sector employs around 140,000 people directly and supports in total around half a million jobs in the UK economy. The direct workforce is highly skilled and earns on average 30% more than the average UK manufacturing worker.

For further information please call Simon Marsh 07951 389197 or Luke Symns 0207 963 6791.