INDUSTRY VOICE
BMF and TrustMark to deliver quality supply chain for Green Homes Grant
THE BMF WILL work in partnership with TrustMark to ensure that homeowners can be confident of the quality of both the materials and the workmanship of projects completed under the new Green Homes Grant scheme. The Government is urging tradespeople to sign up for TrustMark accreditation in a drive to support 100,000 new jobs to fulfil the new energy efficiency scheme, which will give over 600,000 homeowners in England up to £10,000 to install insulation, heat pumps and draft proofing to help them cut energy bills.
TrustMark has strict accreditation rules for tradespeople involved in the scheme, which covers green home improvements ranging from insulation of walls, floors and roofs to the installation of low-carbon heating, including heat pumps or solar thermal – measures that could help families save up to £600 a year on their energy bills.
The BMF and TrustMark will work together to ensure the quality of the supply chain from manufacture to project completion. A dedicated page on the TrustMark website will list, by region, the BMF members participating in the scheme. The BMF will also help TrustMark
facilitate specialist product training for tradespeople signing up for the scheme, using the trade body’s extensive physical and on-line training capacity. The BMF has also offered its 32 Centres of Excellence across the country as potential training centres.
John Newcomb, BMF CEO said: “We are excited to work with TrustMark to develop the quality supply route required to facilitate an anticipated 600,000 projects through the Green Homes Grant. BMF supplier members are at the forefront of product development in insulation and heat pump technology and our merchant members account for over 80% of trade distribution channels, making this a natural partnership. “We fully support this
Government initiative that will not only cut energy bills for consumers and reduce the country’s carbon emissions but will also support over 100,000 jobs for skilled tradespeople.”
Simon Ayers, Chief Executive of TrustMark said: “We welcome the opportunity to work with the BMF and build a partnership that takes in the whole supply chain. “Consumer confidence is not only essential to the recovery of
the UK economy but also to the protection and creation of key jobs that will support the long-term delivery of quality green home improvements.
“TrustMark accredited tradespeople working with a recognised supply chain will provide homeowners with the confidence they need that those working on their homes have been thoroughly vetted for technical competence, customer services and trading practices.”
The £2 billion Green Homes Grant scheme goes live at the end September. It will give homeowners and social/private landlords vouchers to install one or more of: • solid wall, under-floor, cavity wall or roof insulation
• air source or ground source heat pump
• solar thermal
In addition, households can use their voucher for further energy saving measures. These include one or more of the following: • double or triple glazing/secondary glazing, when replacing single glazing
• upgrading to energy efficient doors
• hot water tank/appliance tank thermostats/heating controls
Scottish school buildings’ safety
THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY Coronavirus Forum has submitted buildings’ proposals to the Scottish Government to help re-open schools across the country so children can return to lessons safely. The CICV Forum wrote to the Minister for Local Government, Housing & Planning, Kevin Stewart MSP, outlining practical proposals aimed at minimising costs and the need for intervention.
Suggestions include re-purposing existing vacant property near schools - or building temporary accommodation in suitable locations, with a common design, to ensure compliance with safe site operating procedures.
The BMF is a member of the CICV Forum that is in 32
touch regularly with government and industry. Brett Amphlett represents the BMF along with the Scottish Building Federation, Federation of Master Builders, RIAS and others representing electrical, plumbing, roofing, civil engineering & HVAC contractors.
The Forum believes the proposals would ensure the health and safety of staff and pupils - and provide an economic stimulus to create a pipeline of work. Scottish ministers believe it is better to re-open schools full-time rather than use blended learning. The Forum’s ideas involve identifying ways to build temporary classrooms - notably modular buildings in playgrounds or on adjacent land - to increase space to uphold physical distancing.
BMF hears trade leaders
COMPARABLE STANDARDS OF living and common rules, with no quotas or tariffs, will stand the UK in good stead as it seeks trade deals around the world, according to two former Commonwealth Prime Ministers. The BMF took part into an invitation-only panel debate to hear Tony Abbott from Australia and Stephen Harper in Canada draw on their experience in trade negotiations. Both regard UK accession as good - for the UK and the 11 CPTPP signatories like Japan, Malaysia & Singapore - and as a way to tempt the USA to re-join.
Liz Truss MP, Secretary of State for International Trade, said the UK is conducting talks with Asia-Pacific states including Commonwealth countries. She expressed hope a multi-national deal with the Asia-Pacific region could be reached. The UK imports timber, notably plywood, from Malaysia, Indonesia and elsewhere.
Also on the panel were Lord Mandelson, former Business Secretary and former European Trade Commissioner, and Mr Chan Chun Sing, Singapore Minister for Trade & Industry. Brett Amphlett represented the BMF on the Zoom call that spanned 14 international time zones.
BMF DIARY DATES
In light of the continuous changes to events due to COVID-19 precautions, 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 September 2020
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