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Handelsbanken UK Chief Economist to speak at BMF Annual Conference
James Sproule, Chief Economist of Handelsbanken UK, has been confirmed to speak at the BMF Members’ Annual Conference on 21 September, where he will offer his
perspective on the UK economy.
Founded in Sweden in 1871, Handelsbanken is one of the world’s strongest banks with home markets serving corporate and private customers in Sweden, Norway, the Netherlands and in the UK where there are now over 200 branches. At Handelsbanken,
James is a trusted adviser to a wide range of the bank’s clients, as well as being an integral part of the bank’s broader risk management team. For much of 2019 James was a Senior Business Adviser to Prime Minister Boris
Johnson prior to which he worked with several think tanks.
He was the Chief Economist and Director of Policy at the Institute of Directors between 2014 and 2017, before which he spent two decades in the City as an economist in merchant banks and
(b) increase the take-up of heat pumps. The consultation sets out three new metrics to measure a property’s performance to reflect its fabric efficiency and recognise changes in heating systems. These metrics are: (a) fabric rating; (b) cost rating and (c) the heating system used. It is proposed to display the basic fabric energy- efficiency features more prominently on revised EPCs - notably whether the property has cavity wall insulation or loft insulation. The format and lifetime of EPCs are also likely to change, with a certificate lasting only 5 years, not 10 as now. The policy aim is to force the pace to switch from direct emissions’ heating systems (gas & oil boilers) to zero direct emissions’ heating systems (heat pumps & heat networks).
After consultation, ministers will table revised regulations for Parliament to consider. If passed by MSPs, reformed EPCs will become the basis for new legislation in which the Scottish Government will seek new powers to: • introduce regulations requiring residential properties to meet a minimum fabric standard equivalent to EPC Band C by 2033; • ban the use of fossil fuel heating systems in residential & non-residential buildings by 2045.
• The 38-page consultation is here and it closes on 15 October:
https://www.gov.scot/publications/energy-performance-certificate- epc-reform-consultation/
consultancies, eventually helping to found the boutique bank Augusta and Company. James was also a visiting fellow in the Department of Management Economics at the London School of Economics for seven years.
The BMF Annual Conference and black-tie Awards Dinner takes place on 21 September at the Hilton Metropole Hotel in Birmingham. The BMF’s annual Golf Tournament and other social activities will be held on the previous day, 20 September at the Forest of Arden Golf Course. The BMF thanks our headline sponsor, Unilin Insulation, and
further sponsors announced so far: Azpects, BDA, Catalyst IT, Crosby Associates, Eazystock, Encon, Epicor, E Tupling, Forgefix, Intact Software, Kerridge, Mannock, Marsh Industries, Monument Tools, Plasson, Professional Builders Merchant, Wavin, the Worshipful Company of Builder Merchants and the Worshipful Company of Marketors.
• For more information and to book your place at the BMF Annual Conference and Awards please visit
https://bit.ly/BMFMembersDay2023 or use the QR Code shown below
Business Rates’ Exemption on Welsh Renewables In June, we responded to a consultation
on proposals from the Welsh Government about onsite renewable energy generation and storage under business rates. The idea is to exempt eligible renewable plant & machinery from inclusion in non-domestic rates’ valuations from 1 April 2024 until 31 March 2035. Welsh ministers also propose a 100% rates relief for eligible low-carbon heat networks.
The BMF welcomes these proposals because encouraging businesses to act is sensible and to be applauded - not only to reduce their daily running costs - but also to lessen overall reliance on the electricity supply provided by the National Grid and Distribution Network Operators. We said it is logical to treat onsite renewable energy generation & storage the same as for plant & machinery used to export energy to the grid - where an
exemption already exists - and to provide support for battery electricity storage to charge electric vehicles.
The BMF urged the Welsh Government not to be too fussy or overly-complicated in setting the eligibility criteria. The over- riding aim must be: • enabling as many employers as possible to ‘do the right thing’ and generate & store their own renewable energy from rooftop solar panels, wind turbines and onsite battery storage; and • encouraging more low-carbon heat networks, in both the public and private sector, wherever possible.
The BMF welcome the following new members: September 2023
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