In a bid to boost the government’s support for the printing industry, the BPIF is asking all parliamentary election candidates – and therefore potential MPs – to sign its “Pledge for Print” in the run-up to the general election.
The pledge, which challenges candidates to consider whether they could fight an election campaign without printed products such as leaflets, magazines and posters, includes facts and statistics about the effectiveness and sustainability of print to persuade candidates to commit to backing the industry if elected.
Candidates signing the pledge agree to encourage the government to take action on supporting the productivity, profitability and promotion of print. They are also asked to visit printers in their constituencies, to discuss the unique challenges they face and how government can help.
After the election, the BPIF will be contacting those who signed and subsequently won their seats, asking them to join the All-Party Parliamentary Print Group. MPs will also be asked to attend the BPIF annual Parliamentary reception, where the BPIF’s “Priorities for Print 2017-2019” document will be launched to the new Parliament – explaining exactly what they can do to support the printing industry.
‘While the general election was unanticipated, the printing industry is used to turning challenges into opportunities,’ said Charles Jarrold, BPIF CEO. ‘The pledge is our chance to lobby Parliament into supporting an industry which adds relatively more value to the economy than any other manufacturing sector.
He continued: ‘As most printing companies are small- and medium-sized businesses, even one small policy change can mean the difference between a company that’s merely surviving, and one that’s thriving – so we’ll be watching this space very closely.’
Every candidate who signs the pledge will be thanked on the BPIF website.
