The IPA has issued its response to some of the elements announced in the King’s Speech. These include the announcement of legislation to restrict the advertising of less healthy foods to children, reform to the Apprenticeship Levy and of changes to employment rights.
“We very much welcome Labour’s Growth agenda, as highlighted in the King’s Speech today. As we know, advertising is a lever for growth and so we look forward to working with them to progress our mutual success.
“With regards to some specific points made today:
“We worked with the previous Government, and look forward to working with the new one, on implementing the restrictions on ads for less healthy foods. However, we are still waiting for the Advertising (Less Healthy Food Definitions and Exemptions) Regulations to be passed so that agencies and advertisers can understand which products will be in scope of the restrictions and any exemptions that may apply. We called on the previous Government, several times, to bring in those regulations, but to no avail. We hope that the new Government will bring them in as a matter of urgency.
“Regarding the changes to the Apprenticeship Levy, as we have stated previously, while we support apprenticeships, we have requested greater flexibility on how agencies can use the Levy and look forward to learning how Labour’s new reform may better suit our industry’s needs.
“In terms of the Employment Rights Bill, while we appreciate that the purpose of this Bill is to strengthen workers' rights, we would ask for a sensible balance to be struck in order that businesses have the flexibility to grow and are not hampered by further onerous obligations.”