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BMF meets MPs again about skills shortages
Above: Toby Perkins MP and Kate Ridley- Pepper, Head of Work-Based Skills at the Department for Work & Pensions.
The BMF was back in Westminster last month to attend the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on
Apprenticeships - where the focus was how the Post-16 Education and Skills White Paper aims to tackle growing skills shortages. Ministers identified construction as one of the 10 priority sectors requiring significant action to deliver against national goals. As part of this, they have committed £625 million for construction skills, with a target to recruit 60,000 additional workers this Parliament. One of the biggest changes for the industry is the planned Growth and Skills Levy, due in April 2026. This levy will help
BMF publishes 2026 Sustainability Research: what you need to know The results of the 3rd Annual BMF
member survey on sustainable building materials were released at the BMF Sustainability Forum in November. This year’s survey builds on the work which began in 2023 to understand the sector’s readiness for more sustainable products and services. Results show that customer- related barriers continue to dominate, as low awareness of sustainability remains the biggest
hurdle, followed by rising customer scepticism and a reluctance to pay a premium for sustainable options. Many merchants still struggle to shift conversations with trade customers away from lowest price. Suppliers also report that, while they can discuss Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) with contractors and end users, the conversation is harder with merchants.
On the positive side, awareness
fund new “apprenticeship units” short, flexible training modules designed to give workers essential skills without the need for a full apprenticeship.
The APPG also discussed plans for 10 new Technical Excellence Colleges in construction, supported by £100 million of public funds.
The BMF will monitor the progress of this initiative as it develops - not least, because it has direct implications for the BMF’s Apprenticeship Pledge - that we encourage our members to take.
of EPD’s is increasing. Merchant respondents stocking products with EPDs doubled from 3 in 10 to 6 in 10.
Sustainability held steady as a priority in 2025, with more merchants employing in-house specialists.
Overall, sustainability is becoming more embedded in business strategy, with merchants increasingly viewing it as a driver of growth rather than just compliance and suppliers seeing it as a major source of value creation.
Teaching tomorrow’s skills today: preparing you to win in a fast-changing sector
As the merchanting landscape evolves, the BMF is expanding its training portfolio to help members stay ahead. The latest training courses joining our prospectus have been designed around the real challenges merchants face every day: from managing diverse teams to supporting staff wellbeing and understanding what customers value most.
Spinning Plates is a new session built to help branch and operational leaders anticipate issues earlier, respond faster and maintain control amid demand. The Customer Journey explores
how builders make decisions, what frustrates them, and where merchants can add value that strengthens loyalty and spend. With menopause now recognised as a major workplace wellbeing issue, we’re also introducing two dedicated courses: Menopause Awareness for Managers and Menopause Awareness for Employees. These sessions equip teams with the understanding and confidence to support colleagues effectively and create a more inclusive workplace.
We’re also launching courses
on Managing Challenging Behaviours and Managing Stress,
January 2026
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net
Anxiety and Burnout. Our new Communication
Skills course refines the way team members interact with colleagues and customers. Whilst for those taking their first leadership step, Team Member to Team Manager provides the essential skills and confidence needed to make the transition successfully. Prepare to Win, the final addition to the line up, helps prepare merchants to prepare for the future.
If you’d like support shaping the right training plan for your team, contact training@bmf.
org.uk today.
The BMF has learned of a new recommendation by the Trade Remedies Authority (TRA) that could increase the cost of operating vehicles powered by renewable fuels. The TRA has released its Statement of Essential Facts on imports of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) biodiesel from the USA, recommending the introduction of a countervailing tariff by the UK Government.
An investigation (launched on 17 March 2025) concluded that subsidised imports from the USA are causing material injury to UK biodiesel producers. As a result, the TRA is proposing a fixed countervailing duty of between £257.80 and £303.56 per tonne. Countervailing duties are one of the sanctions used on goods that are being unfairly or illegally subsidised by foreign governments - harming UK industry.
This recommendation marks a significant shift from November 2022 when tariffs on US HVO were removed in a move the TRA said would “benefit UK consumers”.
The UK Government must now decide whether (or not) to accept this recommendation before any duty comes into force.
You can find out more about the TRA’s announcement on the government’s website.
https://www.gov.uk/ government/news/tra- proposes-new-countervailing- duties-on-usa-hvo-biodiesel
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Trade tariffs proposed for
imported biodiesel
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