INDUSTRY VOICE


BMF welcomes West Midlands Mayor


West Midlands Mayor Richard Parker visited the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) headquarters in Coventry for discussions on employment, regional economic growth and the challenges currently affecting the building materials supply chain.


He was welcomed by BMF CEO John Newcomb and Brett Amphlett, policy and public affairs manager. During the visit, Mayor Parker outlined his commitment to supporting the “everyday economy” and creating good-quality jobs across the region. He also highlighted a £75 million fund designed to create and train 12,000 construction sector jobs, helping to address regional skills shortages as part of his Building Growth Action Plan.


The talks also explored the effect of new UK steel tariffs and quotas on small and medium- sized businesses in the West Midlands. Jonathan Thacker, operations director at BMF member organisation The Walsall Wheelbarrow Company, joined the meeting to explain how the measures are affecting his business. Mayor Parker said he is drawing up a shortlist of priority issues facing the region, including the impact of steel tariffs, which he intends to raise with senior figures in Westminster in the coming weeks.


John Newcomb said: “We were pleased to welcome Mayor Parker to the BMF to discuss the vital role the building materials supply chain plays in the West Midlands


Above: L-R Jonathan Thacker, The Walsall Wheelbarrow Company, John Newcomb, BMF CEO, West Midlands Mayor, Richard Parker, BMF’s Brett Amphlett and Joseph Salmon


economy. His focus on good jobs, opportunities for young people and taking our sector’s concerns directly to government is the kind of engagement our members want to see.”


BMF shortlisted for Best Trade Association Award


The Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) has been named as a finalist in the Best Trade Association category at the Memcom Excellence Awards for the second year in a row.


The awards celebrate


innovation, with the BMF securing two category nominations this year, having also been shortlisted for Best Non-Celebratory Event. The recognition is notable given the high number and wide range


of entries the Memcom Awards attracts, spanning professional bodies, trade associations, learned societies and charities.


BMF CEO John Newcomb said: “We are once again honoured to have our work recognised by peers across the membership community. Our focus remains on ensuring members receive real value from their membership, and I am proud that the commitment of the whole BMF team has been reflected in


our nomination for Best Trade Association.


“I am also delighted that the BMF All Industry Conference has been acknowledged in these awards. It demonstrates the BMF’s position at the centre of the industry, providing a platform for collaboration that goes beyond everyday business relationships.” The winners will be announced at a ceremony in London on 24 September 2026.


Plug-in solar gets the green light


Following the publication of the Future Homes Standard in March 2026, the Department of Energy Security & Net Zero (DESNZ) conducted a short, separate consultation on proposals to enable the use of plug-in solar panels in the UK.


The consultation took place in June and sought views on changing the Plugs and Sockets etc. (Safety) Regulations 1994.


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The aim is to allow consumers to connect plug-in solar systems (without batteries) directly to a standard mains socket, provided products meet defined safety requirements.


At present, solar plug-in microgenerators cannot be legally sold, supplied, or used in the UK due to constraints arising from existing product safety legislation. BS 1363 bars a plug from


connecting generating equipment, so plug-in solar could never comply with these regulations. Of the 466 responses that DESNZ received, 88% backed an amendment to these regulations, and 85% backed the interim specification. Alongside regulatory changes, DESNZ is also proposing an interim product specification to ensure that only safe and compliant products can be placed on the UK market during a transitional period, while enduring standards are developed.


BMF DIARY DATES


Please check the BMF website at www.bmf.org.uk for all the latest news and events updates in this ever-changing environment.


Welsh housebuilding needs a stronger focus


The Home Builders Federation (HBF) have published a new report, to highlight the “significant opportunities” that could be realised by increasing housing during this Senedd Parliament.


The BMF and others believe delivering 23,000 private sale homes by 2030 could unlock: • Thousands of new affordable homes, backed by £200 Million of private sector investment through section 106 agreements; • Around 3,700 school places, backed by approximately £65 million invested in new and improved schools; • Around £650 million in additional tax revenues to support public services;


To reverse the trend in housing, the BMF and HBF wants the Welsh Government to prioritise: • Delivery – set a national, all- tenure house target between 2026-2030; • Planning – speed up the review and replacement of local development plans, with stronger deadlines. • Support – Raise the maximum purchase price of Help to Buy Wales in high-cost areas. The BMF notes Help to Buy Wales has just been extended to March 31, 2027, which is a welcome update to stimulate demand in the housing market.


Concerns were raised by trade bodies about the need for mandatory inspections; professional installation; and/ or dedicated electrical circuits with separate wiring and circuit breakers.


Ministers have decided to proceed with their proposals and will put the draft regulations before Parliament for approval. Lidl, Amazon and Octopus are already advertising the sale of plug-in solar panels, likely to be priced at approximately £400.


www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net August 2026


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