THE President of Bolton-based EEF Lancashire has made a strong attack on Government policies.

Mr Brian Ward, Managing Director of Senior Hargreaves, Bury, was speaking at the Association's recent annual meeting.

He said: "It is disturbing that, at a time of such pressure on the manufacturing sector, the Government has come forward with a never-ending stream of regulation and bureaucracy.

"Much is unnecessary but imposes a vast additional cost on business."

He added: "It is one area in which a reduction in productivity would be a major benefit."

Mr Ward said EEF Lancashire would be lobbying hard at regional and local level to draw these problems to the attention of MPs, MEPs and Government Agencies.

They would also be looking for "vigorous action" at national level and in Europe to discourage any further new legislation until some account had been taken of the real costs to industry and to employment.

Mr Ward said that despite the difficult trading conditions for the industry, EEF Lancashire had enjoyed a successful year in which membership had increased by a net 24 companies and about 4,000 employees.

Demand for the Association's services on employment law, health and safety and environmental management had been consistently strong throughout the year and had increased sharply from the beginning of 1999.

The EEF was as busy as it had ever been on Industrial Tribunal work and they were now seeing more companies looking to shed jobs and cut costs.

"This underlines the fact that the belated reductions in interest rates in the latter part of 1998 and early 1999 have yet to show through on demand and order books," he said.

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