As chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Food & Drink Manufacturing Group, Stevenson accepted that the industry had sometimes been under-represented by Westminster politicians.
He said: “But I think that is changing. There’s recognition that the food and drink industry survived the recession relatively well. It’s an important part of our economy and it employs a heck of a lot of people. Every part of the country has large or small manufacturer.
“I think it’s rising up the agenda. There are quite a lot of issues surrounding the industry such as sustainability and health.”
Made in Britain
Parliamentarians are being urged to nominate their products for a government-led scheme celebrating the UK’s manufacturing expertise. The Made by Britain list will eventually feature one product for every constituency in the country.
Stevenson nominated Custard Creams made by United Biscuits in his Carlisle constituency, and said that around 60 food brands would feature on the final list if the industry claims its fair share of the nominations.
But he urged food manufacturers to work harder at building links with their communities. “I think the food industry has to do something for itself as well as encouraging the government to help it,” he said.
“Communication with the local community, taking schools around the factory: that has a number of benefits. It shows what’s produced in your own area, it shows what the industry is like and promotes manufacturing as a career choice.”
Other food brands so far nominated under the Made by Britain initiative include Young’s fish fingers, McCain Smiles and Laddies, a family-run ice cream manufacturer in Holbeach, Lincolnshire, employing 10 people.
Managing partner Richard Ladbrook, whose grandfather founded the business in 1922, said his company’s nomination by MP John Hayes had been “a bolt out of the blue”.
Taken for granted
Ladbrook welcomed the prospect of food manufacturers gaining better recognition at Westminster.
“Considering we are the mainstay of the nation I think we are taken for granted, particularly our regional dishes and delicacies,” he said. We’ve got a big heritage in this country and it’s not well supported by the political sphere.”
Food and Drink Federation director of communications, Terry Jones, said: “With the geographic spread of our food and drink manufacturing industry there is the opportunity to lead the way and profile some of our most iconic products in this initiative.
“We are calling on all food and drink manufacturers, of all sizes across the UK, to contact their MP and ask them to submit their tasty and innovative products.”