18 July 2017

Priorities for Print – why we need to educate Parliament

With the election now behind us, we're continuing to lobby on behalf of the printing industry by sending our latest Priorities for Print 2017-2020 to all MPs and Lords. With inevitable seat losses and gains, now is a crucial time to educate both those new to Parliament and those who held their seats about the essential part print plays in the UK's infrastructure and economy - and what they can do to help us thrive.

Recognising that favorable legislation towards our industry is vital to its success, our briefing document outlines the key domestic and Brexit-related issues those in print are concerned about, and what MPs can do to influence the relevant laws in Parliament. The main issues identified by our diverse range of members fall under print productivity, profitability and promotion.

Key concerns include the need to receive payment promptly - which ranked number one in our members' priorities for UK print. As one member put it, ‘blue chip companies being able to demand payment terms of 120 days is disgraceful'. We set out ways the Government can legislate to tackle late payment and protect cash flow - which if put in place would also have benefits for companies far beyond the print sector.

Having reasonable business rates ranked 2nd highest as a concern, followed by the need to attract good quality apprentices to maintain future productivity. Members also felt that print is perceived by the outside world as old fashioned, un-environmentally friendly and even dying in the face of digital communications - but the new Priorities for Print challenges those views and briefs MPs on clear, practical steps they can take to promote a fairer picture of print and help companies to keep striving for efficiency and sustainability.

As part of the briefing, we also ask MPs to visit a BPIF member company in their constituency and to join our All-Party Parliamentary Group on print. We've previously asked them to attend our annual Parliamentary reception on 4th July - all ideal opportunities to meet printers and learn more about the industry.

As another member put it, ‘Ask anyone in our industry and they would say we work in an ever changing and forward thinking industry. Anyone outside it probably thinks it is old and antiquated'. We're an industry that's constantly adapting to change. We're dynamic, unique and depended upon by the UK economy. We need a Government on side who sees that too, and to do this we need to educate, educate, and educate some more.

To see the full Priorities for Print 2017-2020 brochure click here.