Grangemouth boss slams UK over manufacturing

The Daily Telegraph has claimed that a recent presentation he gave to George Osborne began with a slide saying "the UK frankly has not been a very attractive place to manufacture". Works Management has sought confirmation from Ineos, but has yet to receive a reply. The newspaper reported that Ratcliffe, who owns two-thirds of Ineos, urged the government to cut the rate of corporation tax for manufacturing companies to 12%, reduce energy prices that are far more expensive than Britain's main competitors, and give employers a national insurance holiday for apprentices on approved schemes. In his presentation, seen by the newspaper, Ratcliffe told the Chancellor that Britain lacked 'unique selling points' for manufacturing investment. He said Britain, as an island, was already disadvantaged on transport costs, but to this could be added "energy, pensions, government attitude, unions, infrastructure quality, skills and tax". Ineos, which is Britain's largest chemical company, has global sales of more than £26 billion.