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info@bmf.org.uk www.bmf.org.uk
Completely updated BMF website is now live
The BMF has officially launched its brand new website, recently unveiled at the BMF Members’ Day Annual Conference & Awards. Designed with our members in mind, the new website offers a smoother, more intuitive digital experience that makes it easier than ever for members to access the full range of BMF membership benefits.
Visitors to
bmf.org.uk will immediately notice a fresh look and improved structure with dropdown menus and a professional, modern design reflective of the BMF brand. The site is packed with sector news
and member relevant insights, with dedicated sections for BMF events, training courses and for IoBM individual members. Exclusive to BMF members is the massively improved, secure Members’ Area, granting members access to essential BMF resources through the resource hub, including publications such as
Government reshuffle brings new faces in crucial areas
Keen-eyed readers who follow political comings and goings will have noticed that Sir Kier Starmer’s first major reshuffle - prompted by the departure of Deputy Prime Minister, Angela Rayner MP - has brought a wave of new faces into departments important to our sector. The Department for Business & Trade has seen a full refresh. Peter Kyle MP, formerly Secretary of State for Science and Technology, now heads the department. Chris McDonald MP has replaced Sarah Jones MP as Minister for Construction and will co-chair
the Construction Leadership Council. With a background in the steel and chemicals industries, McDonald brings valuable industrial experience.
At the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government. Steve Reed MP has moved from DEFRA to take the reins from Angela Rayner MP. Samantha Dixon MP becomes Minister for Fire & Building Safety - responsible for reforms to Construction Product Regulations. Matthew Pennycook MP remains Minister for Housing & Planning. Elsewhere, Martin McCluskey
Pavestone Rally: driving change
This September marked the return of the Pavestone Rally, the bi-ennial 4-day adventure across Northern Europe, following a 346-mile route and raising money for designated charities. Those who were involved started in Dusseldorf, Germany and
travelled as far as Denmark, navigating challenging roads and scenic routes along the way. Here at the BMF, we are proud to share that our two teams - the BMF team and the Young Merchant Mavericks – raised an incredible £17,000 in
October 2025
www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net
One Voice, P&H Voice, the Annual Review, and the latest market data reports, all easily downloadable. New features such as the Most Popular tab highlight the BMF’s top training courses, helping members quickly identify the options delivering the most value across the sector. Meanwhile, the Communities section enables members to tailor their communication preferences, creating a personalised hub for updates, insights and opportunities aligned to individual interests. The updated website will continue to evolve with new content and further updates planned to expand its value to members.
Your feedback is welcome, please address any comments or suggestions you might have to
marketing@bmf.org.uk.
Blueprint to fix Welsh
housing crisis
The Home Builders Federation has published a new report, “Increasing Housing Supply in Wales”, setting out 12 actions it believes are essential for the next Welsh Government to implement.
Wales is currently delivering around 5,300 homes a year - almost 30% below the 7,400 required per year. The HBF warns this sustained shortfall is fuelling generational inequality - with younger people locked out of home ownership - and a growing number of families forced into temporary accommodation.
Chris
McDonald MP,
Minister for Construction and Co-Chair of the CLC
MP has become Minister for Clean Heat and Energy Efficiency, while Dame Diana Johnson MP is the new Minister for Employment at Department for Works & Pensions. At DEFRA, Mary Creagh MP and Emma Hardy MP continue as the Minister for Circular Economy, Waste & Forestry and Minister for Water & Flooding, respectively.
this year’s rally. All participants together raised an incredible £214,000, directly supporting five inspirational charities, those being: CRASH - Construction Industry’s Charity, The Lighthouse Charity, Teenage Cancer Trust, Variety, the Children’s Charity GB and The Educational Frontier Trust (TEFT).
The next election is due on 7 May 2026 at which the overall size of the Senedd will be increased from 60 to 96 members. The HBF is urging the next Welsh Government to prioritise: • delivery - set a national, all- tenure house target between 2026-2030; • planning - speed up the review and replacement of LDPs, with stronger statutory deadlines to replace plans when they expire; • support - extend Help to Buy Wales beyond September 2026 and raise the maximum purchase price in high-cost areas.
The HBF wants LDPs to allocate more small sites of fewer than 50 units to support SMEs. The BMF agrees that any new policy or regulatory requirements must be carefully assessed to avoid compramising the viability of site development.
The full report is here:
https://www.hbf.co.uk/ research-insight/wales- housing-supply-2025/
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