With less than a year to go until the General Election, the Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) is stepping up its campaigning activity with the publication of its own Policy Manifesto outlining how it would like to see the supply chain and government working together.
The BMF Manifesto promotes different ways to get cash flowing through the industry, including a more coherent programme of government schemes to help SMEs raise finance, extending the BMF Enterprise Finance Guarantee Scheme beyond its initial trial period, and the enforcement of the Prompt Payment Code. It also promotes ideas on accelerating newbuilds, upgrading existing homes and banishing poorly-written regulation that makes it harder for BMF members to run their businesses.
John Newcomb, managing director of the BMF, said: “This is possibly the first time that the BMF has so clearly set out its view on a range of policies affecting the building materials market and our members. The Manifesto will back up the BMF’s intensive programme of activity talking to MPs, their departmental officials, key party spokespeople and ministers in the House of Lords, as well as local councillors and officers.”
Already this year, the BMF has helped to arrange parliamentary visits to EH Smith by local MP and the government’s Women in Enterprise champion, Lorely Burt, and to Pochins by Lord Newby, the deputy government chief whip in the House of Lords.
The BMF also briefed MPs, including Housing Minister Kris Hopkins, on current issues facing self and custom builders prior to a parliamentary debate on the subject last month.
Mr Newcomb added: “More merchant and parliamentary visits are planned for the rest of the year and in the lead up to the election, as the BMF takes every opportunity to speak with one voice to ensure the industry’s views are heard where it counts.”
