Page 28 - BHTA 100 years

Training scheme, strong messages, a new Section and a BSTA tie...
In August 1975 the BSTA commenced discussions with the Training Services Agency (TSA) with the intention of producing a levy-grant system of nancing orthotist training costs which could be applied, administered and controlled by the BSTA. By 1977, the Trust fund stood at £27,000 with some 120 contractors paying a levy.
The Chairman’s address to the 1976 AGM contained some strong messages for members. Mr Eric Willcox told the meeting: “Our Government has suddenly, like Sleeping Beauty, awakened to the fact that this country makes its living from trade and manufacture and not from civil servants, public of cials and social services. Whether the awakening is a kiss of life or a kiss of death, remains to be seen. As traders and manufacturers we welcome this belated enlightenment, but as suppliers to the Social Health Service we tend, also, to be a casualty: a prime target for spending cuts.”
He went on to say: “The Government’s Industrial Strategy, like it’s ‘export led boom’ has exploded on us like a damp sponge.”
His speech took place as bankruptcies were at the highest for many years – company failures had risen by 28% in 1975. The DHSS were suggesting the lengthening of contracts, which Mr Willcox described as ‘a recipe for commercial suicide’.
The economic climate was, in fact, so poor that the decision was taken to cancel the annual Dinner Dance.
BHTA 100 years