The construction industry is also an important driver of growth for other
sectors without which there would be a loss of domestic production, capacity and skills. The industry is worth around £124 billion per annum and contributes between 8 and 10% of the UK’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Small and Medium sized businesses are the backbone of the construction industry with some 95% of all construction companies employing fewer than 50 people.
Despite its importance to the UK, the construction industry has suffered over the last few years and many companies are still struggling to survive. Belonging to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), the largest trade association in the UK building industry, can help your company in many ways; from help lines to job leads but also by getting your voice heard by decision makers. The FMB makes sure its members’ interests are represented at every level of decision making, but you can make a real difference by getting involved too.
The FMB’s participation pack has been designed to help members who want to get more involved in the FMB’s campaigning and lobbying activities. It also contains information on publicising your campaigning and lobbying work as well as how to make the most of online communications.
The FMB campaigns continually on behalf of its members to try and establish the best policy environment for their businesses. Here is an overview of some our long-running campaigns.
Building a Greener Britain
The FMB’s Building a Greener Britain campaign aims to get everyone thinking about how to cut carbon from the built environment in order to move towards a greener, more energy efficient Britain. The campaign sets out to encourage all those in the building sector, customers, opinion formers and the Government to do all they can to transform our existing building stock.
The FMB is working with politicians, officials and industry professionals to present a series of practical policy recommendations aimed at the Government, which will help encourage households and businesses to make their buildings greener.
For more information on Building a Greener Britain please visit: www.buildingagreenerbritain.org.uk.
Cut the VAT
The FMB leads the Cut the VAT Coalition, which believes that reducing VAT from 20% to 5% for all domestic repair, maintenance and home improvement work would create thousands of jobs and help the Government achieve its target of cutting carbon emissions by 80% by 2050. It would also benefit millions of UK homeowners and small businesses by helping to eliminate cowboy builders, help those who cannot afford vital repairs to their homes, bring our empty properties back into use and reduce full poverty.
For more information on Cut the VAT please visit: www.cutthevat.co.uk.
Get Britain Building is calling for the creation of a new business environment to help the UK construction industry thrive and prosper even through difficult times. Get Britain Building has developed a ten point plan which it believes will help the British construction sector survive the recession. You can also watch the Get Britain Building campaign film on the website www.getbritainbuilding.org/video.asp. Get Britain Building is supported by a coalition of organisations including the FMB.
For more information please visit: www.getbritainbuilding.org.
The Cross-Industry Construction Apprenticeship Task Force
The Cross-Industry Construction Apprenticeship Task Force (CCATF) is a campaign to increase the number of construction apprenticeships. It is a cross-industry initiative designed to engage with employers and the Government in order to increase this vital investment in the future of the industry. Since December 2007 the CCATF has adopted a two-pronged approach: first, to encourage more employers to take on apprentices and second to influence government policy to ensure the best environment for construction apprenticeship training is created.
For more information please visit: www.ccatf.org.uk.
Nail the rogues
The FMB has linked up with Trading Standards to advise consumers on how they can avoid being ripped off by rogue traders. Through the Nail the Rogues campaign homeowners can find help and advice for spotting and avoiding rogue traders as well as advice about finding a reputable builder. Homeowners can also visit the Nail the Rogues website to order free door stickers to help keep rogue traders away.
For more information please visit: www.nailtherogues.org.uk.
