Ma hew Rowland-Jones, Sustainability Manager, Pearson commented: “The framework enabled Pearson to measure progress against different perspec ves and delivers a comprehensive and robust set of recommenda ons. There is also addi onal benefit as the framework has been developed by a trusted, third party expert partner, which adds credibility to support our engagement with colleagues, facilita ng a meaningful discussion on areas for improvement.” Nicholas Drake, Climate Change & Sustainability Senior Manager, SGN said: “SGN was keen to take part in the inial group of companies to be taken through the Climate Leadership Framework, which lays out a clear path for companies to align with a net zero future. It has helped us to demonstrate our commitment to taking ac on on climate change and recognises the severity of the current situa on.”
Brexit Hangover leaves UK Feeling Worst Economic Contraction Since 2016
T
he UK economy could be headed for its first quarterly contrac on since late 2012 a er uncertainty over Brexit caused a sharp slowdown in manufacturing.
Britain’s economy shrunk by 0.4% in April, according to official data published Monday that was even more dire than economists had expected. The data also showed a 0.1% contrac on in March.
“The clear message is that underlying growth is pre y sluggish,” said Ruth Gregory, a senior economist at Capital Economics, who added that it’s possible the economy will shrink in the second quarter. Manufacturing was hardest hit in April. Three years a er the Brexit referendum UK-based companies still have no idea what their future terms of trade will be with the European Union, which accounts for about half of Bri sh goods exports. Recent surveys suggest EU customers are taking their business elsewhere. Factory output plunged 3.9% over the previous month, according to the data. Auto produc on fell 24%, the most on record, as carmakers idled factories around the original March 29 deadline for Brexit. Rob Kent-Smith, an official at the Office for Na onal Stas cs, said there had been “widespread weakness” across
manufacturing as a boost from stockpiling ahead of the departure date faded. Produc on of chemicals, pharmaceu cal products and basic metals also declined in April, according to the stas cs agency. Companies have begged the Bri sh government for clarity on Brexit. Instead, two deadlines for leaving the European Union have come and gone and the country is sliding deeper into a poli cal crisis.Prime Minister Theresa May is stepping down, and it’s not clear when — or if — Brexit will happen, and on what terms. Some of her poten al successors have suggested leaving the bloc on Oct. 31 — the latest deadline — without a deal to protect trade. Meanwhile, the economic pain is likely to con nue.Survey data covering the services, manufacturing and construcon sectors for May reinforces the conclusion that the UK economy is grinding to a halt. europeanbusinessmagazine.com
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