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BMF meets Mayor of West Midlands


How regional government and business can revive local economies to boost productivity and employment levels was on the agenda at the NEC in Birmingham last month. The BMF took part in a


prestigious regional development and levelling up conference hosted by “The New Statesman” at which Andy Street (Mayor of West Midlands) and Labour, Lib Dem and Tory MPs were speakers. Mr Street recently agreed a


“trailblazer” devolution deal with Whitehall meaning he will get: • a long-term cash settlement (inc. right to retain 100% business rates for 10 years); • £400m in Affordable Homes funding along with Homes England by 2026; • more for regeneration & infrastructure inc. £100m for brownfield land remediation; • control over adult skills funding, post-16 technical education and careers advice.


Andy and other mayors believe this package marks the “beginning of the end of a begging bowl” culture at Westminster - because


single, short-term funding was “not how you deliver levelling up”. Mark Farmer of Cast who wrote the ‘Modernise or Die’ report on the future of construction also spoke. Mr Farmer thought the new “trailblazer” deal was very significant and offered potential to really get going in the West Midlands. He welcomed the move away from different funding pots to a single settlement that allowed more flexibility. The Mayor and Combined Authority can now be more creative with the grants & loans they make available for much-needed projects.


BMF meets MP’s again about Apprentices


The future of apprenticeships’ provision in a growing and changing economy - where AI and robotics are more prevalent - was on the agenda at the last meeting of the All- Party Parliamentary Group on Apprenticeships.


Parliamentarians and business representatives heard how training providers are evolving as they look to adapt their offer to respond to employers’ needs. Demand for apprenticeships currently outstrips available supply across British industry and


this forces providers to adjust accordingly.


The meeting was the first to be chaired by Charlotte Nichols MP (Labour, Warrington North) in her new role as Co-Chair of the APPG. Jonathan Gullis MP (Conservative, Stoke North) is the other Co-Chair.


In high-value, advanced manufacturing - especially in the West Midlands - there is unmet and unfunded provision to


BMF Award shortlists revealed


The BMF has announced finalist shortlists for two Awards that will be presented at its Annual Members Day Conference and Awards in September - the BMF Supplier Member Engagement Award 2023 and the BMF Service Member Engagement Award 2023.


BMF Supplier/Distributor Member


Knauf Insulation Ltd Marshalls Mono Ltd Marsh Industries Ltd SIG plc


Velux Company Ltd Unilin Insulation UK Ltd


BMF Service Member Shortlist


ECI Software Solutions Ltd Intact Software


Kerridge Commercial Systems Ltd Simon Acres Group Ltd Stirling Warrington


BMF Chief Executive, John Newcomb said: “BMF membership embraces the whole of the building materials distribution industry and these Awards provide


June 2023 www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net


an opportunity to recognise the vital role suppliers and service members play within the Federation.


“Every member company on these shortlists has made an outstanding contribution through their participation in training, forums and events or sponsorship. I would like to thank them all and wish them the very best in this year’s Awards.” The overall winner will be announced at the BMF Members’ Day Awards Dinner, on 21 September 2023.


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.


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deliver what employers need for electric vehicles & batteries. This stretches to FE colleges where some lecturers have neither the knowledge nor skills to teach some subjects.


The view of employers was that the National Minimum Wage for apprentices is too low and this discourages young learners. Consequently, the number of starts from 16-18 year olds is too few. This means that other staff tend to switch between jobs later in life which has implications for the take-up of apprenticeships.


APPGs are a good way for us to reach parliamentarians. On this occasion, we met MPs from Norfolk, North Wales & Cheshire and members of the House of Lords.


The BMF welcome the following new members:


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