I met up with the Federation of Wholesale Distributors (FWD), a trade association for food and drink wholesalers in the UK. Their members distribute food and drink across more than 450,000 retailers and foodservice businesses in the UK.
I also visited my local food distributor recently, General Mills and discussed what I can do, as their local MP to support their hard work. Topics discussed touched on the five themes that FWD set out;
Growth - The wholesale sector is a fundamental part of the UK economy - with a cross-regional annual turnover of £25.6 billion. I back FRD's aim to ensure resources are offered to support businesses, making them fully compliant with new trade rules, and regulatory alignment is across all devolved nations.
Employment - the UK wholesale industry employs 74,717 people directly and 262,642 through their supply chain. FRD, and I are committed to backing governmental decisions that stimulate greater investment in skills and training to therefore support the workforce of the future.
Sustainability - For FRD to achieve Net Zero by 2040, they want to be a part of a dialogue that guarantees accurate, science-based communication around climate change. I will also do my best, as the MP for UXSR, to get involved in these discussions to therefore inform my local food distributors.
Communities - I agree with FRD that the safeguarding of staff is integral for them to serve their communities and contribute to a sustained growth across the country.
Supply Chain - I aim to work closely with the industry, especially as General Mills is a local business in Uxbridge and South Ruislip, so together we can build a resilient and sustainable food system.
As your local MP, I will work closely with FRD and the local food distributors in Uxbridge and South Ruislip such as General Mills as they are a big part of our retail sector, which I will always continue to support.