The uk government is being urged today to address Border Delays by the manufacturers association, make uk. Customs paperwork and checks introduced since brexit are leading to some disruption of imports and exports, according to their research out today, with produce going to waste because of delays. Make uk found 61 of businesses are facing supply Chain Disruption either importing or exporting to and from the eu, and nearly a third are having their Supply Chains impacted in both directions. Companies are also struggling to prove the uk origin of their goods in order to qualify for zero tariff access. Ben fletcher is director of policy and engagement at make uk. We were warned there would be weeks of difficulty, Teething Troubles, et cetera, is this not what it is . I troubles, et cetera, is this not what it is . Troubles, et cetera, is this not what it is . I think one of the critical not what it is . I think one of the Critical Issues not what it is . I think one of the Critical Issue
We will now fund the cost of their training in full. This will cut costs for businesses and Training Providers and support thousands more young people to start an apprentice. Make uks Chief Operating Officer is ben fletcher. A little earlier he told me why his members were still quite optimistic, despite a difficult outlook,. A lot of this comes from the fact that manufacturers are an extremely hardy bunch. They are, by definition, problem solvers. They are about how you take a problem and fix it and get through it. Our members have always been resilient and optimistic and positive, and they have a great deal of faith in they have a great deal of faith in the work they do in the sector. I think the challenges, for a variety of reasons, loss of our markets and the integrated supply chain is that we are part of a cross europe, they are depressed because economy in all of our Major Trading partners are not strong at the moment. There are some significant and ongoing issues with Energy Pri
Vaping products will come in october 2026 and the existing tax on tobacco will increase. The chancellor says thats in order to maintain the financial incentive to choose over smoking. Windfall tax on the profits of energy firms draw will be extended into 2029 even that was previously scheduled to end in 2028. Increase in flight duty for Business Class tickets, non dom tax free dream on People Living overseas and didnt that it will be replaced with new rules from april 2025. Bigger picture the uk economy now. The obr, office of budget responsibility predicts the economy is going to grow and add 1. 9 we are currently on a technical recession. Inflation rate forecast to fall below 2 target this year but the underlying debt. But the underlying debt, excluding Bank Of England debt, is forecast to be 91. 7 of gdp this year, rising to 92. 8 next year. The government also kept a freeze on alcohol duty, there is a lot to chew over and we have tried to bring up to date on the main headlines but
we begin in france, where unions will be staging strike action today against the government s pension reform plans. the government is aiming to raise the retirement age from 62 to 64 years. today marks the sixth day of strikes and protests since mid january, and unions say it will be the biggest yet with workers across a range of sectors expected to mobilise. teachers, gas and electricity workers, train drivers, and industrial workers are all expected to join. part of the french government plan is also to raise the minimum pension to 1,200 euro a month, which is over 550 euro higher than the current minimum figure. but unions want more due to rising inflation. let s go live to paris now and talk to tomasz michalski associate professor of economics at the hec business school in paris. we spoke about these injanuary but they are still continuing into march. but they are still continuing into march. , , . , , into march. the public support is there for into march. the public
people are believed to have queued to see the queen s coffin in london. as the royal family continues seven private days now of mourning. a man is jailed for ten months after disorder in leicester between muslim and hindu communities. # i m loving angels instead #. and robbie williams has been recording new versions of his classic songs and he s taking them to the top of the charts. in an interview with our political editor chris mason liz truss has been saying she wants to see growth and admitted that might mean doing unpopular things. and admitted that might mean doing unpopularthings. her and admitted that might mean doing unpopular things. her government is considering removing a cap on bankers bonuses as part of a post brexit shake up of rules in the city. the prime minister is in new york to meet world leaders at the united nations. let s hear part of her interview. what is crucial is getting economic growth going because that s what we need to get more investment into