Dave Robertson, MP for Lichfield, visited Tippers Builders Merchant to see how it helps constituents to build new homes and improve existing properties.
How builders’ merchants are preparing to deliver for the Government’s programme to build 1.5 million new homes, and trading prospects for 2025 were among the topics of conversation during a visit by Dave Robertson MP to the merchant.
Dave Robertson MP, a former city and district councillor, was welcomed by Joint Managing Directors Joe and Bill Tipper, along with Brett Amphlett of the Builders Merchants Federation.
Touring the branch, he was shown examples of the everyday trade essentials and value-added products available to Tippers’ customers in Staffordshire and elsewhere. Many of the materials and products that will be needed to build much-needed extra homes come from quarries, brickworks, sawmills and factories in either the East or West Midlands.
Concluding his visit, Dave Roberston MP said: “Tippers is a fantastic family-owned business that has been a cornerstone of our area for nearly 110 years. It was great to visit their headquarters in Lichfield and see the wonderful work that Joe, Bill and the rest of the team are doing, both in Lichfield and across the West Midlands. I’d like to thank them for inviting me”.
Joe Tipper expressed his concern at last Autumn’s Budget over changes to Inheritance Tax and the application of Business Property Relief that directly affects merchants like Tippers. The Chancellor of the Exchequer is capping the tax relief at £1 million, with Inheritance Tax charged at 20% on the value of the business in excess of this £1 million threshold.
In particular, the Tippers explained that theirs is a fifth-generation business and families naturally want to be able to pass their firms onto their children. But Rachel Reeves’ changes do not encourage that anymore. Consequently, employers are deferring or cutting planned investment, restricting branch opening hours and freezing new recruitment while reviewing staff numbers (especially apprentices).
Joe Tipper, Joint Managing Director, remarked: “We were happy to welcome Dave today and show him how Tippers has evolved since we began in 1916. It is pleasing to have our MP take an interest in local businesses like ours and offering insight and support to help Midlands’ businesses to flourish and grow.
“Running a successful business is far harder now than it was back when Tippers started. The burden of regulation and taxation on today’s owners makes it more difficult and time-consuming to be a financially stable business, offering good jobs and investing in the communities in which we operate”.
The visit was arranged by the Builders Merchants Federation 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.
