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The BMF welcome the following new members:


BMF meets MPs on Net Zero Housing


Progress on net zero housing was discussed at last month’s All-Party Parliamentary Group on Net Zero. Brett Amphlett represented the BMF at a well- attended meeting in the House of Commons.


The Chairman, Alex Sobel MP (Leeds North West) who - with speakers like Savills the estate agents - discussed what incentives, investment and innovation are needed to improve housing. The audience were asked what they, as businesses involved in new & existing homes, want from government.


MPs and Peers heard demands to overhaul standards and incentives to ensure buildings are brought in line with net zero


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


leaders and 15 “sustainability ambassador” colleagues from different functions across the business supporting the development and deployment of targets and action plans to reach their objectives under five pillars. They are taking actions to reduce energy, water and waste from operations, increase the use of alternative fuels and transport efficiency, reduce embodied carbon, and promote a circular economy. They also have a dedicated Retrofit and Refurbishment sector team focused on supporting R&R and social housing projects with systems and solutions enabling lower carbon footprint and higher thermal performance.


Efficiency Taskforce. • for Savills,


mortgage-free older owner-occupiers present a problem - namely living in a house that is too big for them and too costly to heat. • or the UK Green Building Council, a Stamp Duty incentive where the rate is high for low-performing


- including by encouraging and (where necessary) mandating the use of low carbon materials, zero emissions’ heating and retrofits to existing homes.


The BMF had the first question and we asked what single outcome the speakers wanted from the newly-created Energy


energy-inefficient homes - and low for high-performing, well- insulated homes.


APPGs are a good way to reach parliamentarians - and Wera Hobhouse MP (Lib Dem Climate Change Spokeswoman) and Caroline Lucas MP (Green Party) participated in this meeting.


Unspent Apprenticeships Levy


The BMF has seen official figures on how much unspent Apprenticeship Levy contributions have been confiscated by Whitehall - thanks to the Policy Exchange think-tank.


Answering parliamentary questions from Lord Godson, the Department for Education said £3.2 billion was raised in 2021-2022 - but only £2.45 billion was spent - meaning ministers have taken £750 million in unspent contributions. Policy Exchange calculates HM Treasury has banked £4.4 billion in total over the last 5 years.


This endorses the BMF view that the Levy is not working properly. Until it is reformed, builders will find it hard to invest in the quantity and quality of their staff (especially in low-carbon trades) as many existing workers approach retirement. Unspent contributions not used within the 2-year time limit go straight back to HM Treasury, as general taxation, and are lost for training & skills’ purposes. Employers and training providers argue this is counter-productive in today’s tight labour market - and continue to lobby to turn the Levy into a more flexible, broad-based training & skills levy.


Unused contributions is a recurring theme for the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Apprenticeships that the BMF regularly attends. This will doubtless be raised at this month’s meeting.


May 2023 www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net 39


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