“Shout, moan, complain. Make more noise about what’s not working” – that was the message to the baking industry from MP Steff Aquarone at the Craft Bakers Association (CBA) Business Day.
Speaking to a room packed with bakers, suppliers, and industry experts, the Liberal Democrat MP for North Norfolk and chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Baking, urged attendees to speak up about the impact policy change is having on them.
The APPG, made up of representatives from the UK-based bakery, milling, and wheat growing firms as well as trade bodies and MPs, was formed last year. Its formation marked the first time that the baking sector has been represented in parliament.
At a recent meeting, CBA CEO and APPG secretariat Karen Dear, highlighted how craft bakeries are under serious strain from rising costs, particularly employment-related ones, and asked the government to consult with firms of all sizes, not just multinationals, on every major policy project.
Now, Aquarone is calling on bakers to help spread the message about the challenges they face before it’s too late. This includes skills shortages, rising employment costs and energy prices.
“Some of you told me that you fear the first time politicians will actually listen is when they wake up in the morning without a fresh loaf of bread for their toast, and by that time it’s too late,” he said.
Aquarone noted that lots of APPGs “fizzle out” but that he was determined to make the group a “powerhouse for the baking industry to get itself heard in parliament”.
In order to achieve this goal, he asked for one thing from the Business Day’s audience to help get the interest and attention of MPs at a critical mass – invite their local MP to visit their business.
“Be persistent,” was his advice, noting that MPs “turn down nine out of 10 invitations just because there isn’t enough time in the day”.
Once the persistence pays off, he encouraged honest interactions which don’t shy away from the challenges. “Give them a lasting image and an understanding of why it’s worth backing you,” Aquarone explained. “Tell them the unvarnished truth. The more honest and unfiltered, the better. Too often lobbying groups want to sugarcoat things and mollycoddle MPs around difficult and challenging topics, so I hope you’re going to join me and do things a bit differently.”
Once they’ve visited, he requested bakers report back to the APPG and CBA to tell them who visited, how it went, and the topics that came up in discussion.
“That will give us the platform to take on and make sure they get involved in the next step of what we’re trying to do back in Westminster,” he added.
Celebrations at CBA Business Day
Alongside a raft of speakers, the CBA’s Business Day also featured an industry exhibition and awards.
Gateshead’s Savour Bakery Café and Patisserie was crowned Champion Baker and Stonehouse Bakery, with outlets around Saltburn, named Member of the Year.
The day also saw fourth generation baker Duncan Hindley installed as CBA President.
“Business Day is always an important opportunity to bring our community together, share ideas and celebrate everything that is special about craft baking,” said CBA CEO Karen Dear.
“It was fantastic to see bakers and suppliers from across the country connecting, learning from one another and discussing how we can continue to strengthen our industry for the future.”
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