The Confederation of Paper Industries (CPI) has written to MPs to highlight the key priorities for the UK papermaking industry. MPs were also invited to visit members’ plants to see the industry first hand and to encourage them to change government policy.

The CPI represents papermakers, tissue manufacturers, corrugated packaging producers and recovered paper merchants. They aim to ensure that MPs develop an energy strategy that will deliver secure supplies at internationally competitive prices and put the health of UK manufacturing at the heart of all government policy.

Other priorities outlined in the letter include an improvement in capital allowances for projects aimed at energy use reductions, the encouragement of industry apprenticeships and governmental support for rigorous sustainability criteria of biomass generation.

David Workman, CPI Director General, commented: “It’s now widely recognised that a balanced economy is essential if we’re to prosper in the future. The paper industry does not seek special treatment, but it does look to government to create the level playing field that will be needed if we are to retain and grow paper production in the UK. There is no environmental, economic or social benefit to be had from compelling it to off-shore.”