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BMF welcomes government trade credit insurance guarantee
THE BMF WELCOMED the Government’s decision to guarantee business-to-business transactions currently supported by Trade Credit Insurance ensuring most insurance coverage will be maintained across the market. Many builders merchants have trade credit insurance in place, and the construction industry is one of the largest users of this type of insurance accounting for some 30% of users.
BMF CEO, John Newcomb
chairs the Construction Leadership Council Group addressing this area, which provided data to show the potential impact of a reduction in cover.
John Newcomb said: “We are extremely pleased that the Government will provide this vital backstop for the construction industry. It will protect thousands of jobs and keep cash flowing and help the building materials supply chain trade with confidence. “The announcement is
particularly welcome on the day that the construction industry is among those being encouraged to return to work in a safe and structured way.”
The TCI guarantee will be delivered through a temporary reinsurance agreement with insurers that are currently operating in the market. It is designed to cover Covid-19 economic challenges and will provisionally last until the end of the year.
New website shows how industry fight Covid-19
THE BMF IS calling on merchants and building materials manufacturers to showcase how they have played their part in the fight against Covid-19. Since the initial outbreak of coronavirus in March 2020, merchants and building materials producers, along with businesses from across the construction industry have been playing their part in fighting the disease, providing vital resources to those on the frontline, and safeguarding construction workers and local communities.
Today sees the launch of a website www.
constructioncovid19response.co.uk that showcases examples of these responses, with a focus on four themes:
1. Building NHS Capacity, 2. PPE Donations, 3. Safeguarding Workers, 4. Helping Communities The site has been prepared as part of the work of the Construction Leadership Council Covid-19 Taskforce, comprising representatives from the industry’s trade bodies, including the BMF, client organisations and the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS).
Andy Mitchell CBE, co-Chair of the Construction
Leadership Council, said: “No-one can have any doubt that the true heroes of the pandemic are those who work day in, day our in our NHS and care system, risking their lives to help others.
“But I have also been proud to see the response of the UK construction industry, which has come together to support our NHS, change the way we work, and support the communities in which we live. “The delivery of the NHS Nightingale hospitals within a matter of weeks has required 24 hour working at all levels of the UK construction supply chain, and a level of co-operation that has shown UK construction at its very best.
“Industry has not only stepped up to the plate in a time of crisis, but has donated millions of pieces of much-needed PPE to hospitals, care-homes, and other front-line workers.
“Industry and Government’s priority now must be a long-term recovery plan for our sector, which will be at the very heart of the UK’s economic revival in the months and years ahead.”
BMF CEO, John Newcomb added: “A number of BMF members are already featured in case studies on the website but we know many more in our sector have stepped up magnificently both to change the way they are working and to support the NHS and their local communities. We are seeking more case studies to showcase the commitment and dedication of our industry through the work you are doing to overcome this crisis.” • If you have a great story to tell, please email
hannah.taylor@bmf.org.uk.
June 2020
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net
Peterborough
for panels PETERBOROUGH HAS THE highest percentage of UK homes with solar photovoltaic panels, according to official government statistics. 11.1% of Peterborough’s homes have panels, with Stirling second at 10.1%, and Wrexham and Boston in joint third at 7.3%. Analysis of feed-in tariff statistics from the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy that reveals the areas with the highest proportion of green homes. The rest of the top 10 towns & cities are Sunderland (7.10%), Colchester (7.00%), Taunton (5.6%), Stroud (5.50%), Doncaster (5.40%) and Plymouth (5.40%). The research found that London is behind the national average of 2.96%. Homes in 19 of the 20 places with the lowest proportion of solar panels installed are London Boroughs.
In the third quarter of last year, the share of electricity generated from all renewables reached a record 38.9% - up from 33% in the same period in 2018 - and overtook gas for the first time.
UFEMAT conference postponed until 2021
THE 2020 UFEMAT Congress, which brings together builders merchants, materials suppliers and trade bodies from across Europe, and was set to take place in London in October has been postponed due to Covid-19. The Conference Programme will now ake place in London on 15-17 April 2021. Meanwhile, Ufemat’s 2020 Annual General Meeting will be held as a virtual event in the Autumn, the date to be confirmed.
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