Builders Merchants Federation Follow us
1180 Elliott Court Coventry Business Park, Herald Avenue Coventry CV5 6UB Tel: 02476 854980
info@bmf.org.uk www.bmf.org.uk
BMF calls for bigger Green thinking
THE BMF HAS welcomed the Prime Minister’s blueprint for greener homes and buildings - but says more needs to be done to ensure the scheme leaves a lasting legacy for the UK’s housing stock.
The BMF says the Government’s Ten Point Plan for a Green Industrial Revolution, which includes £1 billion next year to drive efficiencies in new and existing homes and public buildings, as well as a year-long extension to the Green Homes Grant voucher scheme, is a step in the right direction.
However, it says that the approach needs to align with a broader, long-term strategy, to make a meaningful impact.
John Newcomb, BMF CEO said: “We pressed to extend the Green Homes Grant, after our members reported that homeowners were likely to miss out on the programme.
“This was because many builders, with full order books for the months ahead, were unable to take on work under the initiative in time for the original deadline March 31, 2021.
“It’s excellent news that
Uncertainty looms under no deal Brexit
THE IMPACT OF a no-deal Brexit will bring far-reaching repercussions for the construction sector.
Members of the Construction Leadership Council’s Brexit Movement of Building Products and Materials Group have warned that tariffs, border controls and disruption to the supply chain will impact an industry already dealng with the challenges of Covid-19. John Newcomb, Co-Chair of the Group and BMF CEO said: “We need a deal with the EU. Without it, the impact of large- scale price increases across the industry and other issues will present a big blow to the UK economy.
“Our worry is if we have no deal and then go to World Trade Organisation tariffs, we will definitely get significant price increases across this multi-billion- pound sector.”
Peter Caplehorn, CEO of
the Construction Products Association, said: “In addition to the potential for increased prices, the sector is concerned that a no deal will result in further uncertainty over the availability of components, materials, and significant commodities. “Our members will do everything they can to mitigate these issues but without a deal we will be confronted with some difficult situations just at a time where the industry has responded to the challenges of the pandemic while keeping those employed safe and contributing to the much needed economic recovery. Tom Reynolds, CEO of the Bathroom Manufacturers Association said: “Looking further ahead, new customs procedures will incur significant additional costs on businesses, not all of which can be absorbed. “A significant proportion of bathroom products come from
December 2020
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net
the voucher scheme has been extended, but realistically, we need to think much bigger to deliver a programme of works that will have the scope and scale to improve homes and level up housing conditions across Britain. “As a member of the
Construction Leadership Council, we believe the route to achieve this is through a National Retrofit Strategy, to ensure the money spent makes a lasting difference to the quality of our homes. “That would involve upgrading approximately 28 million properties across the UK with energy efficient retrofit measures, delivering significant improvements to people’s
the EU, so new tariffs, possibly ranging from two to 12 percent will, in most cases, need to be passed through into price rises.” According to Brian Berry, Chief Executive of the Federation of Master Builders, Covid-19 has already affected confidence in the trade, and Brexit uncertainty risks adding to this.
“Across several regions, the feedback we have received is that ongoing uncertainty and price increases are having a real impact on builders’ ability to plan for jobs.
“They are struggling to reliably cost jobs and quote for work because they don’t know what
The BMF welcome the following new members:
health, comfort, air quality and a reduction in emissions as well as creating hundreds of thousands of jobs.
“We need to work as part of a broad, long-term strategy in order to invest in the new initiatives and innovations needed to transform the way we live. We are presented with an enormous opportunity for people and companies to move towards a low- or zero- carbon future in their homes and workplaces. If we can link this to a National Retrofit Strategy then we can improve lives, create jobs, boost the economy and make greater inroads towards the Government’s target of zero net emissions by 2050.”
the cost of materials will be from one week to the next.” Andy Williamson, Commercial Director at SIG UK, said: “Most of the feedback we are receiving is around a no deal situation, rather than a deal, which could mean working under WTO rules in a number of areas and this is where price increases are possible.” Ian McConville, Group Procurement Director, of MKM Building Supplies, added: “We are seeing no evidence of material prices at the moment due to Brexit. However, we have seen notifications of potential increases dependent on WTO tariffs being applied.”
BMF DIARY DATES
In light of the continuous changes to events due to COVID-19 precautions, please check the BMF website at www.
bmf.org.uk for all the latest news and events updates in this ever-changing environment.
33
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
