Help the FMB to influence change with our brand new Campaigns Participation Pack.
You know from reading the regular External Affairs pages in Master Builder pages that the FMB campaigns continually on behalf of its members to try and ensure the Government makes decisions that are in the best interests of your businesses. The construction industry has suffered badly over the last few years and many companies are still struggling to survive, which is why we know all of the FMB’s membership benefits from help lines to job leads are currently more important than ever. This is also why the FMB’s External Affairs Department is taking every available opportunity to remind decision makers about the construction industry’s role as an important driver for growth in the UK economy. Now you can make a real difference by getting involved too.
WHY GET INVOLVED?
We have produced a Campaigns Participation Pack to help members to get more involved in the FMB’s campaigning and lobbying activities. We want the Campaigns Participation Pack to ensure the FMB’s campaigns have an even greater impact. As a general rule, the more an MP hears about an issue the more likely they are to take action, but even more importantly MPs need the support of their constituents. You have a lot to teach MPs about what is going on in their own back yards, which is why your involvement really counts. Of course, the FMB will still do all the legwork for you by providing template letters or emails on the major issues for you to personalise. Even if your concern is specific, we can help you to write something or come along to a meeting with you. It really is very easy.
MORE PUBLICITY
Of course, if your business has something to say it is not just your MP you’ll want to tell. The Campaigns Participation Pack also helps you to publicise your campaign efforts and promote your business to the media and the public. You will find advice in the participation pack on how to make the most of your company website and how to use online networks like Facebook and Twitter to help grow your business.
The FMB’s Campaigns Participation Pack is available on the FMB website. Look out for a link in the weekly FMBriefing bulletin, or download a copy by visiting www.fmb.org.uk/news/campaigns.
DELIVERING THE GREEN DEAL
A range of government, industry and opinion formers, including the FMB, came together in April to listen and discuss the delivery of the Government‘s Green Deal retrofit initiative which will be launched in the autumn of 2012.
Dan Monzani, Deputy Director of Green Deal Legislation and Finance within the Department of Energy and Climate Change, explained that the Green Deal is a new framework that will allow householders and businesses to invest in energy efficient measures at no upfront costs which will be paid through increased energy savings. The so called ‘Golden Rule’ is that the property owner won’t be able to attach a cost to the property unless the savings of the energy efficient installation is greater than the cost. However, the details of the actual delivery particularly in relation to how SMEs will access the finance are still being discussed and developed in a policy process that was described as ‘co-creation’. Other speakers including Andrew Warren, Director of the Conservation of Energy and Dr Louise Strong, Senior Policy Adviser at the CBI, argued the need to create demand in the market for retrofit work including incentives to get the market moving and that the Government needed to be taking a more active role to achieve this.
JOB CREATION
Concern was also expressed about the complexity of the ‘customer journey’ and whether or not the role of the energy assessor of the property should be independent from the installer to avoid any possible conflicts of interests. However, Matilda Quiney, Head of Green Deal at British Gas, argued that a range of models would be required and that most customers would not be willing to pay for independent advice. Instead, she argued that energy assessors in an integrated supply chain could operate in the same way as financial providers tied to financial providers give advice. In summary, all agreed with Peter Aldous MP, Member of the Environmental Audit Select Committee, that the Green Deal whilst being complex and challenging has the potential to be offer great rewards in terms of job creation, reducing carbon emissions and addressing the energy security problems that the UK is facing. The FMB for its part is sitting on two of the Government’s fora which are advising the Government on its Green Deal delivery. These are the ‘Green Deal Capacity and Innovation Forum’ chaired by Paul Morrell, Chief Construction Adviser, and the ‘Green Deal Installer Qualification and Accreditation Forum’ chaired by David Strong.
For more information contact Brian Berry at brianberry@fmb.org.uk.
FMB ADVISING THE BANK OF ENGLAND
The reputation of the FMB’s State of Trade Survey is growing as demonstrated by the fact that the FMB is now advising the Bank of England on current business conditions in the construction sector. At a recent lunch meeting which also included the Electrical Contractors Association and the British Beer and Pub Association Brian Berry, FMB Director of External Affairs, reported to the Bank that the building industry was still suffering the effects of the recession with 38 percent of FMB members reporting falling workloads marking four consecutive years of decline. The rise of the informal economy and the impact of the VAT increase in January were also flagged up as important issues affecting the competiveness of FMB members.
FMB SUPPORTING DIVERSITY IN CONSTRUCTION
The FMB is now a member of the Construction Leadership and Diversity Forum which is organised by the Equality and Human Rights Commission. This is the first time FMB has been invited to join the Forum which is also attended by other construction organisations such as the UK Contractors Group (UKCG) and the National Federation of Builders (NFB). The April meeting discussed the draft findings of their report, ‘A Cost-Benefit Analysis for Diversity in the Construction Sector.’ What is striking is that companies with more women on their boards were found to outperform their rivals with a 42 percent higher return in sales; 66 percent higher return on invested capital; and 53 percent higher return on equity. The Commission is now seeking ways to target messages to construction SMEs and the FMB has agreed to assist.
For more information visit www.equalityhumanrights.com
SAVE OUR CHEQUES- FMB WELCOMES TREASURY DECISION
The FMB has welcomed the House of Commons Treasury Select Committee decision to ask the Payments Council to submit fresh evidence for why cheques should be scrapped in 2018 after being unconvinced by its arguments during an inquiry last year. The FMB has argued that many small building companies rely on cheques as an easy and secure means of payment and is opposed to the phasing out unless an easy alternative payment process can be put in place.
NEW ONLINE TOOL FOR DEVELOPERS INVOLVED IN COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
Shelter has launched a new free on-line resource for anyone involved in community consultation on housing development. Shelter Housing Insights for Communities examines housing attitudes and aspirations of local communities and facilitates cost-effective, targeted engagement with them. The online resource is is designed to help users get a clear understanding of the likelihood of local people to object to or support house building and the reasons for this thereby allowing users the opportunity to respond to people’s issues and concerns.
Visit the Shelter Housing Insights for Communities online resource at www.shelter.org.uk/housinginsights
