Business
UK manufacturers hit back at claims firms are too reliant on foreign labour

UK manufacturers hit back at claims firms are too reliant on foreign labour
The trade body for British manufacturers has hit back at ministers’ accusations that firms have relied for too long on cheap foreign labour, urging them to work in partnership with business instead of viewing it “as the enemy within”.
Make UK is calling on the government to recognise the challenges they are facing – including supply chain disruption and shortages of staff such as HGV drivers – rather than blaming them at a time when they are also facing soaring costs, including for energy and raw materials.
It is urging them to improve cooperation with industry to ensure companies can recover from Brexit and the pandemic, and enable firms to invest and grow over the next decade.
In an intervention ahead of the chancellor’s budget this month, and in a marked change in tone for the organisation, Make UK said the manufacturing sector felt government was not working with them in a “spirit of partnership”.
The organisation has urged the government to move on from Brexit, said Stephen Phipson, its chief executive. “Currently there is a feeling within industry that the government is still fighting the last war and sees business as the enemy within,” he said.
“Business has moved on and, government must do too, working in a spirit of partnership with industry to develop a longer term economic plan which has enterprise and wealth creation as the fundamental principle.
“Growth is the right solution to making the most of the opportunities ahead of us and getting the job done.”
Phipson added: “To encourage the investment in technology and skills we need to help make this realistically happen, government must set out a long term vision for the economy that works with the grain of business to promote growth and wealth creation, not against it.”
In the face of government calls to invest in training more domestic workers, manufacturing businesses insist they do not rely on cheap labour, and that the high skill sector already pays more than the national average. Make UK found that almost half (47%) of companies planned to take on an apprentice this year.
The manufacturing sector is forecast to grow by 7% this year and just over 4% in 2022, but the trade body is warning that it will not bounce back to pre-pandemic levels if the government increases the tax burden on producers.
Companies are calling on Rishi Sunak to extend the superdeduction tax break – which allows large firms to offset 130% of investment spending on plant and machinery against profits – beyond March 2023.
They are asking government to alter the business rates system, so that plant and machinery are not included in calculations. They are also requesting more support, such as VAT relief, for smaller firms in the intensive or high-energy raw material supply chains.
A Treasury spokesperson said: “We’ve backed businesses throughout the pandemic through our £400bn package of support, including our Plan for Jobs, business rates relief, grants and loans – and it’s working, with GDP recovering quickly, unemployment falling and the number of people on payrolls back up to pre-pandemic levels.
“We’re continuing to support businesses including through the super deduction – the biggest two-year business tax cut in British history – and investment in infrastructure, skills and innovation.”
Business
Dangote Refinery reduces petrol price to N825 per litre

Dangote Petroleum Refinery has reduced the gantry price of Premium Motor Spirit, PMS, also known as petrol to N825 per litre from N835 per litre as competition continues in the domestic market.
Recall that last month, the 650,000 barrels per day refinery reduced the gantry price of petrol to N835 per litre from N865 per litre.
The latest adjustment is targeted at giving customers more value, as well as consolidating its leadership position in the domestic market.
Business
NIMC hikes NIN service fees, increases date of birth correction to N28,574

The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has announced a revised price list for National Identification Number (NIN) issuance and other related services.
On May 1, the NIMC announced a review of the pricing structure for all its services.
In its report on Saturday, the commission said the cost of correcting the date of birth on a NIMC slip has increased to N28,574, reflecting a 74.87 percent rise from the previous fee of N16,340.
According to the new price list, modifying other details such as name or address now costs N2,000 per transaction, up by 31.41 percent from the earlier fee of N1,522.
While initial NIN enrolment and issuance of slips remain free, NIMC said the reissuance of lost or damaged NIN slips now costs N600, an increase from N500.
Premium enrollment services offered at licensed lounges, visa centres, and pre-booked VIP services now cost N20,000, and VIP reissuance of NIN slips is priced at N3,500.
Additionally, the commission said the fee for retrieving a NIN via USSD services has risen to N50 from N20.
For Nigerians in the diaspora, NIMC said adult enrollment at regular service points in African countries now costs $50, enrollment for children is $30, and reissuance of NIN slips abroad is priced at $6.
According to NIMC, in African countries, the commission said correcting a date of birth now costs $55, and modifying other fields costs $10.
In non-African countries, the commission said name corrections are priced at $60, while other changes cost $20.
In its executive summary of the revised price list, NIMC explained that the adjustments considered the current inflation rate of 32.70 percent, saying most services were increased by at least 20 percent, with certain exceptions based on the nature of the service.
Business
NCAA sanctions Kenya Airways over passenger complaints

The Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has sanctioned Kenya Airways for several consumer-related violations involving three passengers, including one Gloria Omisore.
This is contained in a statement on Friday by Michael Achimugu, Director of Public Affairs and Consumer Protection.
Achimugu stated the NCAA issued a sanction letter on Wednesday to Kenya Airways regarding the passengers’ complaints
“The infractions include failure to provide care, lack of transparency in carriage terms, poor communication with the Authority, and mishandling refunds and baggage.
“In accordance with the NCAA Regulations 2023, Kenya Airways must pay fines and compensate each affected passenger with 1,000 special drawing rights.
“The airline has seven days to comply. Failure to do so will result in more severe penalties,” Achimugu said
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