Issue 2, Vol 1

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FEDERATION NEWS

MESSAGE FROM MALCOLM JOHNSTONE, NEW FSDF PRESIDENT - The Challenge of 2010

To read the message click here

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FSDF Bev Shaw- New Finance Controller

Please click here

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Julie Pizzey running the Brighton Marathon

Click here

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FSDF Spring Conference

Making the difference - Improving operational efficiency Click to find out how to book

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FSDF at the Food and Drink Logistics Show

As you may already know FSDF have been asked to support the Food and Drink Logistics Show which is a new part of the larger FoodEx show at the NEC on 21-24 March. As part of this agreement we have a large prominent stand at the show and there is an opportunity for our Associate Members to be a part of this.  Click to find out further information

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COMMITTEE FOCUS

Technical and Safety

DEFRA consulting on penalties related to revisions to ODS Regulations

DEFRA have issued a consultation on proposals for GB offences and penalties legislation in relation to EC Regulation 1005/2010.  Click here

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Waitrose looks to nose in front on F-Gas leakage

Waitrose has begun adding scent to its HFC refrigerant on a trial basis in a bid to slash leakage. Click here to read more

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Business Affairs

Reducing the administrative burden of meat products regulations

The Agency has issued a public consultation seeking comments on options to reduce the adminstrative burden of Regulation 5 of the Meat Product Regulations 2003 (MPRs). The consultation started on 25th November 2009 and will finish on the 3rd March 2010. Click here to find out more

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High-risk non-animal origin products

Two further updates - Commission Regulation (EC) 669/2009 Designated points of entry Click here for more

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Logistics Management

Campaign warns drivers of the consequences of speeding

A £1.4m THINK! campaign to highlight the devastating consequences of speeding for drivers as well as victims started in January.  Click here to read further

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Delivering the goods in the snow and ice – industry deserves nation’s thanks

The recent bad weather has emphasised the extent to which the whole nation relies on the organisation, expertise and commitment of the freight logistics industry, and the men and women who work in it, in order to carry out routine life in the UK. Click here to read more

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Driver CPC - get qualified stay qualified

The Driver CPC requires all drivers to complete a minimum of 35 hours periodic traning within every five year period and will help raise the bar for fuel efficiency, safety and service for the whole industry. Click here to find out more

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BUSINESS NEWS

SCALA launches supply chain management competition

SCALA Consulting has launched The Fresh Connection, a supply chain management competition that looks to demonstrate the impact a supply chain has on company profitability and success. Click here to read further

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Business Link

Sign up for their free information service - Information at your fingertips.   Click here for more information

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Demand for employees at its highest for over two years

The jobs market could be returning to its pre-credit crunch levels.  Click here for the full article

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Frozen meat sector growth recorded

The frozen meat and poultry sector grew by 2.1% in value last year and is now worth just under £563m.  Click here to read more

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Sainsbury’s records bumper Christmas sales

Turkey and trimming sales over the festive period have helped Sainsbury’s complete record Christmas takings over the past 13 weeks.Click here to read more

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Tesco and British Red Cross Donate to Haiti

The Tesco/British Red Cross emergency partnership has today announced a donation of £50,000 to the emergency appeal for Haiti to help with the terrible earthquake that has hit the country. Lucy Neville-Rolfe, Executive Director at Tesco said, "We are shocked by the devastation".  Click here to read more

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Chalcroft Construction opens up new cold front for Grocontinental expansion

Food sector specialist Chalcroft Construction has completed work on a new £4m cold and chill store facility that will help third-party logistics firm Grocontinental expand its services. Click here to read more

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CBI NEWS

CBI - Reduce your carbon footprint

CBI has distilled the process into four easy-to-follow steps. For more details

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LEGAL UPDATES

Pensions policy requires 'radical' change of approach

Workplace pension schemes are in danger of failing to provide adequate retirement incomes, it has been claimed. To read more click here

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FEDERATION NEWS

MESSAGE FROM MALCOLM JOHNSTONE, NEW FSDF PRESIDENT

My recent election as president of the FSDF, has coincided with the change of Chief Executive and other supporting staff, and thereby created an opportunity for the FSDF to evaluate and reinvigorate itself in providing value to its members. With its name change from CSDF (Cold Storage and Distribution Federation) and its expansion into other temperature regimes within the food supply chain, I believe 2010 will be a year of consolidating its position in the chilled and ambient sector and growing its relevance as a trade body to all its members.

Trade associations like FSDF are often valued through their ability to make a difference for their members. This can often be through advice and contacts to reduce costs. But recent weather events also elevated the FSDF as being the trade body and spokesperson of the industry and thereby allowed us high level contact with Government decision makers.

The challenge of ensuring the distribution of food during the adverse weather, allied with the potential of empty supermarket shelves, brought us into daily contact with Government Departments with their need for updates and evaluations of supply chain resilience. FSDF was accepted as the voice of the food supply chain and we were also courted by the BBC, ITN News and national newspapers seeking assurance of food supply. This allows the FSDF to promote the interests of its members to a wider and more influential audience, a key part of our growth strategy for this year.

Alongside the strategy of continuing to promote and lobby for the industry is the support, communication and advice given to members in the highly technical and legislative world of food storage and distribution. The growth of the number and complexity of regulations and laws and the additional responsibilities that fall to those in this industry, is a challenge that the FSDF works to alleviate. But we must also ensure that as a trade body we can grow our commercial relevance to all temperature regimes by adding more opportunities to reduce costs or grow their business. This I see as a key challenge for 2010.

I look forward to the support of all members in achieving these goals and hope to see you at the March conference.

 

 Managing Director ACS&T

 

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FSDF  welcomes Beverley Shaw - new Finance Controller

Bev started her new position in January 2010 after working with Rita in December.  A part qualified accountant Bev comes to us with accounting experience gained over a number of years in a variety of positions.

She lives locally in Burghfield Common together with her husband and 2 crazy cats.  Her hobbies are creative writing and learning to play golf.  We would like to formally welcome Bev and look forward to working with her.  

 

 

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Julie Pizzey running the Brighton Marathon

Julie and her running buddy are running the Brighton Marathon on Sunday 18th April.

Julie is running the marathon for CLIC Sargent to support children with Leukemia and Cancer. If you can donate even a small amount to the cause that would be great. She has run a half marathon in 2008 and many 10k races over the years but this will be a real challenge to both mind and body.

To donate to her event, click on the link below, or let us know if you would rather not donate over this website and we will keep a record of your pledge.

We will keep you posted on her progress.

To sponsor Julie please click the following link:

http://www.justgiving.com/Julie-NeilMarathon

To find out more about CLIC Sargent:

http://www.clicsargent.org.uk/Aboutus

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FSDF Spring Conference

    SPRING CONFERENCE 2010 - MARCH 10/11 LEICESTER

The FSDF Spring Conference 2010 will take place on 10/11th March at the Leicester Marriott Hotel

Book your place for just £150 before 18th February

We are delighted to announce some of the following confirmed speakers:

• David Brankstone BRC – BRC Global Standard Version 2
• Julie Gartside – Enviros Consulting – CCA/CRC Reporting & F Gas Support
• Norbert Dentressangle – Fleet Management Techniques and Best Practices
• Dennis O’Sullivan MD Deltion – Logistics and Transport Real Time Management and Visibility over the internet
• Mark McGrath HSE – Where accidents are happening, solutions and actions

With a Keynote Address by a DEFRA minister

In addition to the excellent line-up of speakers, the FSDF Spring Conference is the perfect place to network with your peers, so take advantage of this excellent offer and book your place for just £150!

CLICK HERE to view the full Conference programme.

CLICK HERE to book your place for just £150 (plus VAT) online

The FSDF Spring Conference is supported by

The Food Storage and Distribution Federation, 7 Diddenham Court, Lambwood Hill, Grazeley, Reading, Berkshire. RG7 1JQ.    Tel 0118 988 4468 Fax 0118 988 7035 Email info@fsdf.org.uk www.fsdf.org.uk

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FSDF at the Food and Drink Logistics Show

As you may already know FSDF have been asked to support the Food and Drink Logistics Show which is a new part of the larger FoodEx show at the NEC on 21-24 March. As part of this agreement we have a large prominent stand at the show and there is an opportunity for our Associate Members to be a part of this.

We haven’t worked out exactly how this will work logistically yet but it will either be in the form of a small area for literature, maybe a graphics poster/board and a person to support this. There will be some cost involved, but it is an excellent opportunity to market your company to the thousands of prospects that will attend. 

If you are interested in being part of the show then please contact Julie Pizzey for more information.

iimni/UserFiles/Applications/Documents/Downloads/FD Logistics eBro 18-09-09.pdf

http://fdlogisticsshow.co.uk/page/home.html

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DEFRA consulting on penalties related to revisions to ODS Regulations

DEFRA have issued a consultation on proposals for GB offences and penalties legislation in relation to EC Regulation 1005/2010 - the revision of the EU Regulation on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer and proposed amendment to the Fluorinated greenhouse Gases Regulations 2009.

Industry has been invited to comment on proposals for Regulations prescribing offences and penalties. This consultation also seeks views on an amendment to the Fluorinated Greenhouse Gases Regulations 2009 relating to the interim personnel certification provisions for stationary refrigeration and air conditioning.

For full details see the consultation website page at www.defra.gov.uk/corporate/consult/ozone/index.htm

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Waitrose looks to nose in front on F-Gas Leakage

Waitrose has begun adding scent to its HFC refrigerant on a trail basis in a bid to slash leakage.

The imaginative move aims to draw the attention of branch staff and even the public to any refrigerant leaks at it stores and is part of a series of initiatives from the retailer as it seeks to cut carbon emissions from cooling by 50 per cent over the next three years.

 

Head of Maintenance Steve Isaia, who is spearheading the move, said that the cherry-almond scent had proved successful under trial, producing a distinctive aroma without influencing equipment performance. The scent has been created for Waitrose, enabling then to add it to the system themselves. Mr Isaia said :"We want people to say 'what's that smell?' and draw attention to any leaks, particularly around the refrigerated cases."

The initiative is one of several in process by Waitrose as it seeks to up the ante on F-Gas containment.

The retailer has already spent £1 milliion on remedial works and on proactive equipment changes to cut leakage at exisiting stores and it has signed new performance contracts with its three refrigeration contractors: WR, Ryan-Jayber and Space Engineering, giving them incentive to avoid leakage at installation and maintenance.

The contractors have refrigerant loss targets written into their KPIs and the contractors assume the cost of service replacement refrigerants.

All the stores will be subject to random audits where 'mystery sniffers' will turn up unannounced to examine recent service quality and check for leak tightness and take photos of problem joints.

At the same time, each stores' automatic leak detection systems has been increased in sensitivity.

Mr Isaia said:"Contractors may have to make more service call than they did previously, but it will reduce the number of minor leaks. The mean leakage is starting to come down."

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Reducing the administrative burden of meat products regulations

The Agency has issued a public consultation seeking comments on options to reduce the adminstrative burden of Regulation 5 of the Meat Product Regulations 2003 (MPRs). The consultation started on 25th November 2009 and will finish on the 3rd March 2010.

Regulation 5 of the MPRs requires that certain added ingredients are mentioned in the name of meat products that look like cuts, joints, slices, etc, that could otherwise be confused with meat that has no addded ingredients. For example, 'ham with added water'. The regulation does not apply to products such as sausages or burgers.

The Government-wide Administrative Burdens Measurement Exercise, indentified, among others, regulation 5 of the MPRs as imposing a significant burden on business. The FSA is, therefore, consulting on a range of options with a view to making it easier for business to understand and apply regulation 5 in naming of meat products while maintaining accurate information for consumers to help them make informed choices and safeguarding them form misleading labelling.

Separate consultations will also take place in Scotland, Wales and Northen Ireland.

www.food.gov.uk/consultations/consulteng/2009/propreduceadminburdenmpreng

 

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High-risk non-animal origin products

Two further updates - Commission Regulation (EC) 669/2009 Designated points of entry.

Please see the following like to the new Official Feed and Food Controls (England) Regulations 2009 which were published in December 2009.

Also, please find following links to the FSA guidance documments for enforcement officers and food business operators about the new Regulations above concerning "high-risk" products of non-animal origin, and aflatoxins.

 

These have been publised on the FSA website at the following link

 http://www.food.gov.uk/foodindustry/imports/banned_restricted/

These regulations came into force on 25th January 2010.

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Driver CPC - get qualified stay qualified

The Driver CPC requires all drivers to complete a minimum of 35 hours periodic traning within every five year period and will help raise the bar for fuel efficiency, safety and service for the whole industry.

Freight Best Practice has been working with Skills for Logistics and with the Joint Approvals Unit for Periodic Training (JAUPT) to ensure that the programme's publications support the CPC syllabus. As a result, the programme's publications have been mapped to the CPC syllabus and support of the individual CPC objectives.

Click here for recommended Freight Best Practice publications for Driver CPC syllabus.

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THINK! campaign to highlight the devastating consequences of speeding for drivers as well as victims started in January

“This campaign highlights the consequences of speeding for the driver involved: what is life like for the driver who kills because they are in a rush to get home and how does that split second decision affect the rest of their life? I hope this campaign will get drivers to kill their speed before it’s too late.”.

The THINK! campaign - 'Kill your speed, or live with it' - includes TV, radio, and cinema advertising.

The radio adverts - ‘Always There’ – feature a chilling message from ‘beyond the grave’. Children’s voices describe what life is like for the driver who killed them while speeding several years ago. The drivers cannot sleep, watch a football match or spend time with their own children without thinking of the dead child.

The 'Kill your speed, or live with it' campaign first ran in February 2009 and is just one of the Government’s initiatives to further cut the number of people killed or injured on Britain’s roads. In addition, the Department for Transport has recently announced an independent review of the law on drink and drug driving. For both drink and drugs, the study will also consider the likely impacts of any changes on driver behaviour, and the practical steps needed to support the introduction of any new or revised offence.

To read more please click the following link :   nds.coi.gov.uk/clientmicrosite/Content/Detail.aspx

 

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Delivering the goods in the snow and ice – industry deserves nation’s thanks

The recent bad weather has emphasised the extent to which the whole nation relies on the organisation, expertise and commitment of the freight logistics industry, and the men and women who work in it, in order to carry out routine life in the UK. From the distribution of food and drink, medical supplies and fuel, to the operation of salters and gritters to keep the roads open, the industry has demonstrated its invaluable contribution to the economy and to the daily needs of the whole population. The snow and ice have constituted a real emergency over the last three weeks – but an emergency which the freight logistics industry has been able to respond to and overcome.

Dr Mick Jackson, Chief Executive of the industry’s sector skills council Skills for Logistics, says ’In the twenty-first century we take for granted the availability of goods and services where we want them and when we want them. However, deliveries do not occur by magic – they are the result of a highly sophisticated and hi-tech operation designed to get material to shops, offices, factories, homes and other destinations as efficiently and economically as possible.

‘The recent weather has constituted a major challenge to the whole of the industry in its ability to continue to maintain the supply of goods and services across the country and, in particular, to those locations worst hit. I am proud to be able to say that the people working in the freight logistics industry have produced a magnificent response to this challenge. Whilst, of course, there have been some inevitable delays as the result of weather conditions, road closures and temporary hold-ups in some parts of the supply chain, the overall performance of the industry has been first class with the very vast majority of deliveries experiencing on-time service or minimal delays.

"Some 2.3 million people work in the UK freight logistics industry including some 450,000 drivers. This week they deserve the nation’s thanks. This industry represents a vital and fundamental element of our way of life and offers career opportunities across a range of skills from IT to engineers, from managers to drivers, and much more. The experience has demonstrated the enormous contribution and value of what we do and I hope will encourage jobseekers and career changers to consider joining us and enjoying the rewards and satisfaction of carrying out such an important and worthwhile role."

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SCALA launches supply chain management competition

SCALA Consulting has launched The Fresh Connection, a supply chain management competition that looks to demonstrate the impact a supply chain has on company profitability and success.

It is designed to highlight the significance of sales, operations, procurement and supply chain management and promotes the need to develop integrated supply chain strategies throughout all the functions of a business.

It also aims to provide an insight into the teamwork that is required to make real and tangible improvements in the supply chain and company performance.

Teams of four supply chain professionals will take part in an interactive game designed to provide valuable training and staff development. The internet-based, role-playing simulation game is built around a virtual fruit juice producer. The challenge is to save the virtual company from its downfall and develop it into a successful company.

The game starts on 1st February 2010 and lasts six weeks with each week equivalent to half a year in real time. Each team will manage and make tactical and strategic decisions on procurement, operations, sales and the supply chain. The competition culminates with live finals and a conference in London.

John Perry, managing director of SCALA, said: “The Fresh Connection ran very successfully in Holland last year with 280 teams from some of Europe’s largest businesses taking part. It is not only very competitive, creating great team spirit, but is also a fantastic training and development tool.”

Logistics Manager and Supply Chain Standard are sponsoring the competition along with AEB International and The Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport.

Full details of the competition can be found at: www.thefreshconnection.co.uk

 

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* Plus handy tips to address business issues

 

To sign up for our free Information Service. Please include your full name, company name, postcode and a brief message stating that you would like to be signed up

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Demand for employees at its highest for over two years

The jobs market could be returning to its pre-credit crunch levels.

According to the latest Report on Jobs survey from the Recruitment and Employment Confederation (REC), the growth in permanent positions last month was at its fastest since July 2007.

The survey, which covered 14,000 recruitment agencies and consultants, also found that temporary staff placements in December were rising at their fastest pace for 30 months.

Average earnings for permanent employees were on the up too, the second consecutive month in which they have climbed.

Kevin Green, the REC’s chief executive, said: “As we head into 2010, the recovery of the UK jobs market is accelerating. Employer confidence is increasing and vacancies are on the up – with the fastest growth in permanent jobs since July 2007.Temporary and contract placements also rose at the sharpest pace for thirty months which underlines the crucial role that flexible working models will play in helping job-seekers back into work.”

However, Mr Green went on to point out that, despite the increase in demand for both temporary and permanent staff, the jobs market looks as if it will stay very competitive, particularly for younger people. He added that it was essential that the government’s pledge to invest over £1 billion in creating 400,000 new youth job and training opportunities is met, and that the government ensures that new EU regulations on agency work do not curb the ability of employers to create jobs.

 

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Frozen meat sector growth recorded

The frozen meat and poultry sector grew by 2.1% in value last year and is now worth just under £563m.

Recent figures from TNS Worldpanel for the 52 weeks ending 29 November 2009, show that the frozen retail market is enjoying strong value growth and is now worth £5.1bn.

Brian Young, director general of the British Frozen Food Federation (BFFF), said: “It is most encouraging that all sectors within the frozen food market continue to enjoy good value growth. Recent publicity by WRAP on the amount of perfectly good food thrown away by consumers has helped the frozen cause.

This has reinforced the perception among consumers that frozen food’s locked-in goodness and exceptional value for money are particularly welcome in these difficult economic times.”

In volume terms, the frozen food market was flat last year, an achievement in itself, accordng to BFFF, given the current economic climate.

 

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Sainsbury’s records bumper Christmas sales

Turkey and trimming sales over the festive period have helped Sainsbury’s complete record Christmas takings over the past 13 weeks.

The supermarket giant has announced that total sales for the third quarter were up 6.2%, which has been partly due to an increase in the sale of turkeys.

Sainsbury’s chief executive Justin King said: “Sainsbury’s has delivered a strong trading performance over the past 13 weeks, resulting in like-for-like sales growth, excluding fuel, of 3.7%, or 4.2% VAT adjusted.

"Our strategy of delivering great food at fair prices has resulted in a record Christmas performance, completing a strong third quarter on top of good growth last year. While food price inflation eased in the quarter as expected, a winning combination of more customers, enjoying even better products and prices through more stores delivered total sales growth of 6.2%."

Sainsbury’s has also reported that weekly transactions were up one million year-on-year and the successful Christmas was down to shoppers returning to traditional products.

King added: "Great food is at the heart of what we do. Our continued investment in quality has enabled customers to place the quality food they want at a price they can afford on to their festive table. Our Nectar data shows that over 14% more customers bought their turkey and trimmings from us than last year and we more than trebled sales of our multi-award-winning own-brand Blanc de Noirs Champagne. It is our great quality food offer at fair prices that has led to our record Christmas."

 

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Tesco and British Red Cross Donate to Haiti

The Tesco/British Red Cross emergency partnership has today announced a donation of £50,000 to the emergency appeal for Haiti to help with the terrible earthquake that has hit the country. Lucy Neville-Rolfe, Executive Director at Tesco said, "We are shocked by the devastation that the earthquake has caused in Haiti. We have this morning made a donation of £50,000 through the British Red Cross who have already arrived in the area. Our donation will help thousands of families who have survived the earthquake with family kits containing vital items such as blankets, tarpaulins and first aid kits. The British Red Cross do outstanding work and it's an honour to work with them in such tragic circumstances".

Mark Astarita, British Red Cross Fundraising Director said, "Tesco are leading the way with their generous and swift donation to our Haiti earthquake appeal. Thanks to them we can immediately send lifesaving relief supplies to the people of Haiti, who have lost everything in the earthquake."

This donation is part of the emergency partnership between Tesco and the Red Cross, which began in 2000. The British Red Cross were the Tesco Charity of the Year in 2007/2008.

 

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Chalcroft construction opens up new cold front for Grocontinental expansion

Food sector specialist Chalcroft Construction has completed work on a new £4m cold and chill store facility that will help third-party logistics firm Grocontinental expand its services.

Shropshire-based Grocontinental has embarked on a controlled expansion programme, aimed at ensuring existing customer requirements are met, and has invested in a new truck fleet and new facilities.

And so when the company wanted to build a new chill and cold store at its base on the Whitchurch Business Park, Whitchurch, Shropshire, it turned to trusted supplier Chalcroft Construction, which it has been working with since 1994.

The 4,550 sq m, single-storey building consists of a cold store, at minus 25 degrees C, and a chill store (plus 8 degrees C).

The chill store, which utilises glycol cooling systems, accommodates nine mobile racking levels, while the cold store, with an ammonia refrigeration plant, is six racks high.

A key environmental aspect of the new warehouse is the use of movement sensors for lights, which operate at 100 per cent when in use and dim to 30 per cent when no movement is detected.

Linda Grocott, joint managing director of Grocontinental, commented: “We are a well-established family-owned business that has developed a reputation for providing first-class customer service.

“The investment in new facilities will further enhance our offering, and we are delighted that Chalcroft Construction has once again delivered us a warehousing solution that fully meets our needs.”

The work has been carried out within a strict timetable that means the new facility can be used to store additional seasonal stock.

John Reeve, from Chalcroft, commented: “Grocontinental is a great example of a confident company that is responding to its customer’s needs and investing in its future.

“Chalcroft has been associated with Grocontinental since 1994, constructing a series of warehousing and cold store facilities as the company has grown and made a name for itself in the food sector.”

Chalcroft Construction is based in Pershore, Worcestershire, with premises also in East Anglia. It can list well-known names such as Coca-Cola, Kellogg’s, Dairy Crest, Branston Potatoes and Nestlé among its client base.

It has recently secured contracts for a range of food companies across the UK, including the development of a new chill chamber for a major producer in Lincolnshire, and a chill store extension for a food wholesaler in Hertfordshire.

 

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CBI -Reduce your carbon footprint

 

CBI has distilled the process into four easy-to-follow steps. We worked with government organisations such as Defra, DECC and Business in the Community to ensure the answers you find here match the methods they recommend.

The result: an SME Toolkit that provides a simple and practical guide to reducing carbon emissions, sharing the lessons learned as we all move forward on the challenge of reducing carbon emissions.

Keeping it simple...

We have organised the SME Toolkit around four simple steps designed to focus you quickly onto the most important contributions to your carbon emissions, ones over which you have the most direct control and where solutions are the most cost-effective:

Step 1: Measure your carbon footprint

Step 2: Manage your carbon footprint

Step 3: Reduce your carbon footprint

 Step 4: Reduce your carbon footprint

 

 

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Pensions policy requires 'radical' change of approach

Workplace pension schemes are in danger of failing to provide adequate retirement incomes, it has been claimed.

A new study carried out by the Association of Accounting Actuaries (ACA) has found that 91 per cent of defined benefit pension schemes in the private sector, including final salary funds, have been closed to new members. One in five are closed to existing members. The research, which polled over 300 firms, also revealed that a quarter of employers are thinking about reducing the level of benefits when it becomes a legal obligation to enrol those employees who are not already members of a fund into a personal accounts scheme in 2012.

Although the amounts being saved in defined contribution schemes – the type of fund to which many employers are now switching – have shown an increase, the study said that progress has been slow. The level of employer contributions in over a half of all defined contribution schemes was less than 6 per cent of employee earnings, while employees themselves were paying in less than 4 per cent.

With investment returns likely to be uncertain in the future, the ACA argued that pension provision for large numbers of private sector employees will probably deteriorate in the coming years.

Keith Barton, the chairman of the ACA, said that a “radical change of approach” was needed.

Mr Barton commented on the survey: “These are worrying times for all those looking to retire in the years ahead. Whilst the government’s Personal Accounts initiative eventually may bring on board more pension savers, it has to be remembered that these accounts are designed to ‘fill the gap’ with a low-level pension, where no better pension scheme exists. Quality pensions require higher contribution levels.”

He continued: “Just 6 per cent of employers responding to the survey say they feel the government’s stated policy of supporting quality workplace pensions is working, down from 38 per cent two years ago.

“The huge public policy gap at present is meaningful action to protect good existing private sector schemes and to promote new pension designs that aim to check uncertain and volatile pension outcomes.”

In response, the Department for Work and Pensions claimed that the new Personal Accounts pension plans were “radical” and that they would offer 11 million employees the opportunity to save for their retirements.

A spokesman said: “We are also supporting good quality pension provision through our deregulatory review. We have eased the burden of revaluation and indexation which has the potential to save employers about £250 million per year on average in the longer term.

“We recognise that the current economic climate presents challenges to employers sponsoring defined benefit schemes – that is why the Pension Regulator is working openly with trustees and employers to improve awareness and understanding of the specific approach to protecting members and the PPF, and the flexibility available within the scheme funding framework.”