BMF in pre-Brexit VAT victory


Builders merchants trade organi- sation, the Builders Merchants’ Federation has welcomed a Government decision that will allow BMF members to adopt postponed accounting for import Value-Added Tax on goods brought into the country after the United Kingdom leaves the EU next March.


The Department for Exiting the


European Union announced this concession as part of the first wave of technical notices it has published to inform businesses about what plans and prepara- tions they ought to do in case of a ‘no deal’ Brexit departure. Ministers have decided that, if the UK leaves the EU without an agreement, VAT-registered BMF members that import materi- als and products will be able to account for import VAT on their VAT return - instead of paying im-


port VAT on (or soon after) goods arrive at ports.


This concession applies to imports from the EU and non-EU countries. Brett Amphlett, BMF Policy & Public Affairs’ Manager said: “We are very pleased the Government has decided to allow importers to use postponed accounting for import Value-Added Tax due on materials and products that BMF members distribute. This is an undoubted win for BMF lobbying at a time of political and business uncertainty amid worries that not enough is being done to prepare for a ‘no deal’ departure. “While others in construction


are worried about the number of workers available after Brexit, our concern from the very beginning was focused on VAT and the likelihood of having to pay 20% extra upfront, and the subsequent


impact on prices and supplies.” Without this decision, the BMF calculated that potential addition- al costs would be about £1 billion for European softwood; £160 mil- lion for imported bricks; and £80 million for paint from the EU. Amphlett said ministers have taken a common sense approach and a tax bombshell has been avoided - especially for SMEs - by taking a decision in good time. However, customs declarations, rules of origin declarations, and paying duties at borders will still be required, he added. The BMF hope that detail on


procedure and payments will be in the next wave of DExEU technical notices. Importers will also have to register for an UK Economic Op- erator Registration and Identifica- tion (EORI) number, and check that contracts and terms & conditions are all up-to-date.


WoCBM gears up Build A Career campaign


The Worshipful Company of Builders Merchants is stepping up its Build A Career in Merchanting campaign to encourage young people to take up a career in the builders merchant sector. The campaign arose from WCoBM attending exhibitions; talking to school children, parents and teachers; presenting in schools; and realising that as an industry merchanting has not been good at communicating what it’s all about, what’s good about it, and why it matters. Youth recruitment and this


campaign is a particular passion of current Master Brian Blanchard who told BMJ: “Awareness of construction is low, and it’s not generally on the list of careers to consider, and parents and teach- ers tend to steer their children and students away from it. At a time when the industry has a skills and capacity shortfall that’s a seri- ous problem. “The reality is, our industry is a big and important one with tremendous career prospects. ” The campaign is targeted at young people leaving school or


college and looking for a career where they can develop new skills, build qualifications and explore new avenues. The core of the campaign includes a new video on the ben- efits of working in our industry featuring personal accounts from individuals and a new leaflet which speaks to young people, with key facts and figures on construction.


Both the video and leaflet are available to view/download on the website: www.wcobm.co.uk/ about/build-your-career/


Builders’ Merchants CO Ltd joins National Buying Group


Independent builders merchant buying group National Buying Group has signed up a new merchant Partner.


The latest recruit is Lincolnshire- based Builders’ Merchant


Company, a general builders merchant with branches in Scunthorpe, Hull and Rotherham. The company plans to expand to five branches in the next five years and BMCo managing director


September 2018 www.buildersmerchantsjournal.net


Duncan Thomson believes joining NBG will be vial to the success of that. “Joining NBG will help us take the business to another level; it is the natural progression for our company,” he says.


7


Jewson buries £800k in new branch


More than £800K has been invested in improving the Bury St Edmunds branch of Jewson. The builders’ merchant has refurbished its Cratfield Road site on the Morton Hall Industrial Estate, changing the layout and enhancing the product offering in the 32,000 square metre building. The branch now features a dedicated kitchen and bathroom showroom, complete with a wide selection of modern and traditional product ranges and full-working demonstration models. With the newly improved layout, Jewson has also grown its civils and tool hire offering, adding a storage compound for an ever-growing range of equipment. The addition of Jewson’s -sister brand Graham, which specialises in plumbing, heating and bathroom supplies, has helped turn it into a one-stop-shop for local tradespeople.


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