INDUSTRY UPDATE BIKBBI reaction to
chancellors Autumn statement L
ast month, the government undertook its third fiscal statement in as many months. The expectation for this budget was far greater than the previous 2022 statements, largely due to the damage caused by the previous ‘mini budget’ which created even further economic instability. There were some encouraging messages around the government’s support and investment in our NHS, social care and the armed forces. Equally, it was very reassuring to hear reference to the importance of apprenticeships and vocational learning to drive economic growth. But within the key points, there were some areas of concern for the UK’s 5.5 million small businesses as the government seeks to find a balance between stability and growth. Our members are already facing commercial challenges through inflated operating costs, ludicrous price increases in materials, supply chain struggles, falling revenue, and shrinking availability of affordable finance. Add to this the rising trend of late payments and being owed money, it is clear that BiKBBI members, along with thousands of other SMEs, are forecasting turbulent trading conditions for the foreseeable future.
Whilst the KBB sector has flourished over the last two years, the industry is starting to experience a slowdown
which will undoubtably lead to uncertainty for many. The home improvement and construction industries are in the midst of a skills gap crisis, an enormous shortfall of professional operatives to deliver the critical front line component needed to meet housing upgrade and construction targets. A freeze in the VAT registration threshold means that many small businesses who experience increased turnover because of rising costs will be required to register for VAT. This could potentially deter investment and remove the incentive for small businesses to grow. The decision to cut dividend taxation allowances will be yet another blow for hard-working owners of small limited businesses, particularly as it is likely these individuals will be the same group that were excluded from the government’s furlough scheme and any other support during the darkest days of the pandemic, and then more recently pushed out of the cut in National Insurance contributions.
There are a few saving graces; the retention of the Employment Allowance at its current level, which was hard fought for by the Federation of Small Businesses, and the continuation of the lower National Insurance rate for the self-employed and employees which government predicts will save SMEs around £4,200 per year on average.
And positively, the Energy Bill Relief Scheme will remain in place until March 2023, helping businesses through a very tough winter ahead and there is an expectation of further targeted support for the most vulnerable businesses.
Whilst it is impossible to predict the impact that the latest round of fiscal measures will have in real terms, BiKBBI remains committed to supporting our members, partners, sponsors, the wider industry and the consumers they serve, throughout these challenging times.
Damian Walters, CEO, BIKBBI 44 BKU DECEMBER 2022
UWLA rolls out water efficiency message across Europe at Cersaie 2022
he Unified Water Label Association (UWLA), working with its Italian partner Confindustria Ceramica, promoted the UWL and the water efficiency message, to more than 90,000 visitors at the International Exhibition of Ceramic Tile and Bathroom Furnishings, in Bologna in September. The 39th edition of Cersaie recorded 91,296 attendees over the five days of the exhibition, an increase of around 50% compared to last year’s event, which had marked one of the first returns of a major exhibition in the difficult post-pandemic period.
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UWLA MD Yvonne Orgill says, “Cersaie met all our expectations as an ideal European opportunity to meet manufacturers and other professionals from the KBB sector. The show has a strong international profile with 237 non-Italian exhibitors (38% of the total), and visitors from 157 different countries.
“We had a great platform to share our message and highlight that the situation has never been more critical, with climate change a major issue across Europe, throughout the summer.
“People have to start taking on board our message to use water wisely, if we are to have any impact and reduce the hardship that will result from severe water shortages.
The water shortages experienced across Europe have brought home the message that the dangers of warming our planet are no longer something distant, it’s here and now and affecting every region in the world. “National governments have introduced measures to incentivise and promote water efficiency, the Unified Water Label is an effective tool, which can help drive home this message and influence consumer behaviour. “The Unified Water Label highlights the need to use water efficiently in the home, and when it is displayed on products it clearly identifies how much water and energy that products use, prompting consumers to make more informed choices.
“Innovation in our industry has delivered products that use less water and energy, without any loss of performance, making it easier for consumers to make environmentally friendly choices.
“The Unified Water Label Association is committed to driving home the water efficiency message, encouraging everyone in the supply chain to support us by highlighting the label and the products that carry it, to ensure more of these products are used in the home.
“We would urge all of our European partners to support the Unified Water Label, so that we can help consumers understand the issues around water scarcity, the link with energy and carbon emissions, and collectively make a positive difference.”
Those interested in finding out how they can become involved by supporting the UWLA or joining our campaign can find out more by visiting the website.
www.uwla.eu
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