Unitas managing director John Kinney believes the Labour Manifesto contains a few challenges for wholesalers, including minimum wage increases, a ban on the sale of energy drinks to under-16s, banning fast food outlets near schools, and the prospect of controls on HFSS products and ultra-processed foods.
This comes after Sir Keir Starmer led the Labour Party to a landslide victory in their General Election, and will now take over as the UK Prime Minister. “Independent wholesalers’ ask of this brand new administration is that it listens to those of us who can help turn these pledges into effective measures that achieve their stated aims,” said Kinney.
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“While we support the intention to establish better pay for the least well-off workers, affordable healthier food options for children and meaningful sustainability targets, our challenge for the new Government is to lay out a legislative programme that is effective, practical and proportionate. The delays to the Deposit Return Schemes for drink containers demonstrate what happens when Government acts without sufficient consultation with stakeholders who have the experience and expertise to help shape effective legislation. In contrast, the success of the Soft Drinks Industry Levy was built on extensive collaboration, practical choices and achievable timeframes,” he added.
The buying group chief added that Unitas would like the Government’s proposals to be evidence-based and economically viable to implement, and not to unfairly penalise its members and their customers.
