VIEWPOINT


GETTING BRITAIN BUILDING AGAIN IS VITAL FOR THE SUPPLY CHAIN


BMF CEO John Newcomb on why the time is right for relaunching the Get Britain Building Campaign.


O


ur objective in launching the Get Britain Building campaign at this particular time is very simple. We want to make sure that this


industry’s voice is heard. Why now? First of all we have a stable government which should be in place for the next four to five years. A government that has not only promised to tackle the housing crisis but also to upskill the construction workforce and increase the power of regional authorities across the country to spend money on essential projects. The Queen’s Speech in January earmarked billions of pounds for building schools, housing hospitals and more but at the moment all we have is fine words. The ambition they express must be backed with a firm commitment and decisive action. It must also be done in consultation with those who best understand how this construction industry works. That includes not only the three organisations behind the Get Britain Building campaign but also other industry trade bodies. The experience of all of our members can help to guide practical workable policies that can lead to both social and economic benefits. Manufacturers and distributors of construction materials directly provide employment for a least 373,000 people across 24,000 companies with a combined annual turnover of over £62.1bn. BMF members have a combined annual turnover of £32bn so we account for 52% of the industry.


UK-based


The sector is overwhelmingly based in the UK with almost 80% of materials in construction and renovating the countries homes made right here in the UK. Builders merchants are a vital link in distributing these materials to the nation’s building sites. What’s more, they have been doing this for centuries.


Builder’s merchants don’t just provide a convenient delivery service they also provide the knowledge and expertise to ensure that the builders that are creating our homes that they have the most appropriate materials for the jobs in hand. Added together, the manufacturers, merchants and builders generating the governments’ 300,000 new homes a year target would actually contribute £94bn to the UK economy. And yet ,current government policy directly supports a move


14


away from UK manufacturing materials to off-site and modular homes where the raw materials are almost all imported. This is crazy. Our goal must be to change this. The government must create a new clear business environment where manufacturers of construction material have the confidence and desire to invest. Particularly at a time when they are asking the industry to consider how best to insulate heat and ventilate out homes. BMF members service two main markets, new building and existing properties. For many merchants sales relating to converting, extending, maintaining or repairing building accounts for a much bigger proportion of their sales. So as well as building new homes government action is needed to upgrade our existing housing stock.


Embodied energy


The built environment contribute around 35-40%of total greenhouse gas emissions in the UK. If we are to meet our legally binding commitment to be a carbon neutral national by 2050 we need to invisage the reduction of emissions from buildings both new and old. According to RIBA, the embodied energy in new buildings can account for more than 50% of their lifetime greenhouse gas emissions. This is another reason to create long lasting quality new homes, fit for purpose and adaptable to changing needs and where the design and material used are not a blight on the surrounding landscape. The focus must be on the whole life value rather than just the speed of the build. That said over 20% of our housing stock is over 100 years old. A further 16% dates from before the Second World War. Many of these buildings are poorly insulated and costly to heat. If the government is to achieve its net zero carbon target by 2050 then these homes have to be included. It won’t be achieved simply by addressing new buildings. With around 80% of our existing stock privately owned the question is how best to get owners to invest in improvements that will lower the carbon output of their properties, both the reduce fuel poverty and to help achieve net zero 2050. This target will only be met if we are able to intervene at scale to improve the existing housing stock. Major improvements will be costly. Will government fund incentives to enable owner occupiers


and private landlords to undertake this work? A reduction in VAT on energy efficient core improvements will definitely help for example on reroofing, extensions, conversions, insulation and renewable heating. We believe further incentives may also be required. There are many issues for this new government to consider but the reason behind the new Get Britain Building campaign is to support their commitment to build for the future, to boost home ownership to tackle climate change and also to increase building safety. As a country we need to get this right, which is why we want to collaborate with ministers and civil servants to help achieve the best long term result for our homes, out environment and our industry. Last year the Government’ sole agenda was to get Brexit done and with the Withdrawal Agreement signed it is now time for the Government to focus on the future. To get Britain building with the help of great British builders, great British manufacturers and great British merchants. BMJ


www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net April 2020


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84  |  Page 85  |  Page 86  |  Page 87  |  Page 88