The meeting was another arranged by the BMF as part of its industry and parliament programme.

How builders’ merchants are managing to supply the materials and products needed in the drive to build 1.5 million new homes - despite difficult headwinds and cost pressures - was top of the agenda during a constituency visit by Imran Hussain MP last Friday.

The MP for Bradford East visited Joseph Parr in Broomfields to see how the merchant helps his constituents build new homes and improve existing ones - especially to make them warm and comfortable. His visit came not long after Joseph Parr recently celebrated its tenth anniversary in the city since opening on Manchester Road on the site of a former car dealership.

Imran Hussain MP, former Deputy Leader of Bradford Council, was welcomed by Michael Beaumont, Managing Director, Jack Morris, Branch Manager and Brett Amphlett, Builders Merchants Federation. Touring the two-acre site, he saw the everyday trade essentials and value-added products available to Joseph Parr’s customers in Bradford and the surrounding area. Many of the materials and products required to build much-needed extra homes come from quarries, brickworks, sawmills and factories in Yorkshire.

Imran Hussain MP, said: “It was a pleasure to visit Joseph Parr who have been serving the Bradford community so well for the last decade. I want to thank Michael and his team for providing a friendly, knowledgeable service to the building trade in and around our city, and for taking the time to explain to me the challenges they face in today’s market.

“I was keen to learn how they are getting on with their 100% electric Volvo HGV, believed to be the first used by any builders’ merchant in the country. It is encouraging to see independently-owned firms take bold steps like this - especially given the high petrol and diesel prices we have seen."

Beaumont added: “We were delighted to welcome Imran Hussain and show him how Joseph Parr is investing in our people and in Bradford. It is great to have our MP take an interest in a local merchant and offering his advice and support to help us to succeed.

“Nonetheless, key decisions lie ahead. Merchants and local SMEs would prefer to see ministers set out a structured, fully-costed and long-term plan to build 3.5 or four million new homes in England over the next decade - rather than just promise to build 300,000 homes per year in the short term.

“I am glad Imran was able to see our Volvo FM Electric 6x2 rigid that was part-funded by a grant from Bradford City Council. Despite the additional weight of the batteries, we actually see a slight payload advantage over the traditional 26-tonne diesel trucks we also run.

“Regulations affecting commercial transport are changing and we want to ensure Joseph Parr is ahead of the curve when it comes to cleaner, greener HGVs. The well-documented energy price shock in the Middle East may hasten the adoption of electric lorries. We are proud to be the first”.

The visit was another arranged by the BMF as part of its industry and parliament programme. The aim is to show MPs the role, value and importance of merchants in delivering for their customers and communities.

Hussain’s visit ended with discussion on efforts being made by Bradford City Council, West Yorkshire Combined Authority and other commercial partners to regenerate the city. Municipal leaders want to capitalise on the momentum following its status as last year’s UK City of Culture - and confirmed Whitehall commitments on Northern Powerhouse Rail.

Much of Hussain’s constituency is made up of land on which old, traditional industries have gone - leaving a de-industrialised landscape that can be totally redeveloped - with modern office & retail spaces, new housing and digital & learning hubs.