INDUSTRY VOICE


The BMF calls for Chancellor to improve homes and boost jobs in Autumn Statement


The Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) has set out how a nationwide programme of retrofitting energy-saving measures could improve housing, reduce carbon emissions, cut household bills and boost jobs.


John Newcomb, CEO of the BMF, is calling for a long-term plan to drive progress in areas such as insulation, improved glazing and heating in a letter to Chancellor of the Exchequer Jeremy Hunt, ahead of this month’s Autumn Statement. The move comes as the latest Construction Leadership Council’s Product Availability Statement reveals an overall decline in construction activity, it predicts this will continue into next year. He said: “With interest rates likely to remain around current levels well into 2024, consumer


BMF Product Data Template Webinars


Following the launch of the product data template at the recent


BMF Annual Conference, the BMF has embarked on a major drive to encourage usage of the template from the building materials sector. This has included a series of product data standardisation webinars which are tailored to meet the requirements of merchants & buying groups, there will be a separate webinar for Supplier members of the BMF. The seminars are run by the BMF’s own industry data specialist, Dave Bate.


If you want to sign up for the webinars contact: Dave.Bate@ bmf.org.uk or call on 07923 221526.


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confidence is proving volatile in the short term.


“Based on current sales, one major housebuilder is forecasting a 25 per cent reduction in the number of houses built in the current trading year.


“With a slowdown in new house-building already taking hold, and prospects not looking good, the BMF firmly believes the property repair, maintenance and improvement market offers the best hope to create new, meaningful jobs in every region and boost much-needed local growth. “There are still too many homes without cavity wall, solid wall and loft insulation. This reinforces our view there is still significant work to do to fit various types of insulation that are inexpensive and straightforward to complete.”


The BMF represents a major part of the economy, with over 900 merchant and supplier company members in the building materials supply chain - employing more than 206,000 people and it has a combined sales value of more than £44.5bn to the UK economy. It believes a clear strategy from government is vital to unlock issues with the nation’s poor housing stock and protect jobs.


Newcomb added: “The Green Deal and Green Homes Grant both failed and closed early. Last year’s Autumn Statement included £6 billion for home energy efficiency from 2025 to 2028, in addition to £6.6bn announced previously, which we have yet to see being fully utilised – as well as announcing the Energy Efficiency Taskforce, which ended


in September with the work it had conducted remaining unpublished. “We need a clear, unambiguous long-term action plan showing how, where and when previously allocated funding will be spent, and the way that local government and other delivery partners will implement the necessary improvements that so many homes urgently need.”


Newcomb said: “It is only with renewed political determination by ministers, coupled with relentless efforts by local government, energy suppliers and others, that a nationwide programme of retrofitting homes can begin to cut household bills, improve cold, draughty homes, boost jobs and reduce carbon emissions - which will also help us to meet our Net- Zero ambitions.”


BMF Young Merchant Conference 2023


This year’s Young Merchant Conference was held on October 26 at the JCB Headquarters and Visitor Centre in Rocester, Staffordshire.


The event was hosted by TV and radio broadcaster, Jason Mohammad and was sponsored by Knauf Insulation. The theme of the Conference was ‘A Changing Landscape’ and the event was attended by well over 100 BMF YMG members. The BMF Young Merchant


Group seeks to share knowledge, promote understanding and encourage the development of


key relationships in the building materials sector.


Keynote speakers at the event included Hannah Vickers, Chief of Staff at Mace, Maria Coulter, Construction Coach, Joe Lynam, Broadcaster & Journalist with an on-stage Q&A session involving Dean Pinner, MD at Keyline Civils Specialist, Jonathan Pulman, sales director at Knauf Insulation


The BMF welcome new members:


and Natasha Rose, MD at Rose Building Supplies.


The Conference saw the YMG chair, Jo Callow, having served two years in the role, hand over the reins to the newly appointed chair, Ed Parlato from Browns Builders Merchants. It was also announced that Costas Marcou from Ethan Mason Paving had been elected as vice chair. Following the conference, delegates assembled at The Hilton, St George’s Park for a drinks reception and networking dinner.


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.


www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net November 2023


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