Quentin Willson challenges MPs over fuel prices
Published: 02 February, 2011
Quentin Willson, well known columnist and TV presenter, presented MPs with letters from the Fair Fuel UK Campaign.
The campaign has written to every MP, asking for their support on:
- The scrapping of April’s fuel duty rise
- The introduction of a methodology for stabilising fuel prices
Willson was joined by Theo de Pencier of the Freight Transport Association and Kate Gibbs, of the Road Haulage Association. Both organisations who, between them represent more than 20,000 businesses, are backing this campaign.
Peter Carroll of the Fair Fuel Campaign said: “Quentin Willson has a fantastic profile amongst the motoring public, and we are delighted that he is helping us. Our Campaign is reaching out to every type of business and the private motorist.
Theo de Pencier said: “With businesses wilting in the face of unsustainably high fuel costs, we urge MPs, businesses, motorists and all road users to get behind the Fair Fuel UK Campaign, otherwise the cost to the UK’s economy could be severe.”
Kate Gibbs said: “This is not a campaign about choice – it is a campaign about necessity. The economic recovery and future prosperity of the UK rests with the Chancellor. Plans to raise fuel duty by possibly as much as five pence on 1 April must be abandoned.”
To help in the fight for a fairer fuel duty deal, sign up to: www.fairfueluk.com
Pay increases
EEF’s pay data for the three months to the end of December 2010 shows that the average pay settlement has increased to 2.2%, up from 2.1% for the three months to the end of November. The number of pay freezes has fallen slightly but still remains at 1 in 5 settlements, reflecting continued downward pressure to contain internal costs in some companies.
Plant hits record output
Manufacturing output results from the Klarius Group Nicholsons manufacturing plant are consistent with recent UK GDP figures showing solid growth from the UK manufacturing sector.
Charles Greaves, UK operations director for manufacturing commented: “The Nicholsons plant in Glasson Dock, Lancashire manufactures pressed body exhaust systems, predominantly for the EU market. The plant is reporting record output on its wide portfolio of over 2400 individual products, providing 98% availability across the entire range of products on offer.”
Promotion announced
Eaton Corporation has announced Egon Lechner, president - Europe, the Middle East and Africa for the Hydraulics Group has been promoted to solutions architect for the Hydraulics Group.
Lechner will work closely with Ruppert Russoniello, vice president - Global Markets, on global segment needs and with William VanArsdale, president - Hydraulics Group, on business development. He will continue to be based in Baden-Baden, Germany, and will be responsible for translating the business needs of Eaton’s global market segments into technical requirements, as well as working across the business to identify targeted customer solutions.
Eurofighter contract
The Eurofighter consortium has signed a five year contract with IFS to maintain its IFS Applications-based system, which is handling the Industrial Repair Service (IRS) for the Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft. The contract will continue to support Typhoon deployments through the next 5 years, enabling through-life management and support initiatives, is valued in excess of £2m.
