April Releases
Tractor Run completes tour of Scotland
Prime Minister backs Federation of Master Builder's Building a Greener Britain Campaign
International Workers' Memorial Day: Need To Cut Deaths on Construction Sites, says Federation of Master Builders
Tractor Run to Drive Awareness of Prostate Cancer
Construction Work Load Falls, warns Federation of Master Builders
Building Success in North West England
Look After Your Most Important Investment, Advises the Federation of Master Builders
Funding Delays Hit the Building Industry in Northern Ireland
After the Floods, the Treasury Cleans Up!
Eco-Towns are a Red Herring, Says Federation of Master Builders
No more excuses, Government must act now and cut VAT, demands Coalition
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 The four builders who have left their JCBs behind and jumped on vintage tractors will complete the Scottish leg of their tour of the UK today. The team have driven from John O'Groats and will be travelling through the borders into England this afternoon.
The team have embarked on an epic 850 mile journey from John O'Groats to Lands End to raise money for prostate cancer. It has taken the team five days to travel through Scotland and the rest of the tour of the UK is expected to take a further five days as they head through a number of towns and cities including Carlisle, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and Exeter.
The tractor run is to raise awareness of prostate cancer, a disease that 35,000 men in the UK are diagnosed with each year and to raise money for the largest of the charities working specifically in the field of prostate cancer, The Prostate Cancer Charity. So far the team has raised more than £4000!
The team have already had support from a number of companies, including Nissan which has donated a vehicle to be used in the run; organisations, including the Federation of Master Builders which has helped with fundraising and planning and number of public figures including MP for Solihull Lorely Burt and Lord Mayor of Birmingham Councillor Randal Brew OBE.
Taking part in the tractor run will be a 1946 David Brown Cropmaster, driven and owned by Michael Clancy; a 1958 B450 International owned and driven by Geoff Lamb; a 1957 Fordson Major owned and driven by Ian Snape and a 1957 Fordson Dexter driven by Ross King. The team will be lead and supported by Pat McGeever.
Grahame Barn, Director of the FMB in Scotland said: "It has been great to have the team here in Scotland, the support for them has been great! The farming community in Kinross were full of encouragement - One local farmer gave a charitable donation of 200 litres of red diesel when the boys were in danger of running out. A particularly generous thing to do when there were severe diesel shortages and stocks were very low across the country as a result of an industrial dispute."
"Prostate cancer is a very serious yet, if caught in time, curable disease. It is great to see such an unusual, fun way of raising money to support research into prostate cancer. The FMB supports what Pat and the team are aiming to achieve and wishes them luck as they travel through the UK."
If you would like to support this worthy cause please visit www.justgiving.com/pmcgeever
30 April 2008
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In a statement Mr Brown said: "I am pleased to see such positive and pro-active work being undertaken by the FMB. I welcome the contribution your campaign will make to support the building industry to build and retrofit homes to higher environmental standards, whilst highlighting the important contribution the construction industry can have in supporting our efforts to tackle climate change. I wish the FMB well with their campaign."
Gordon Brown joins David Cameron, Leader of the Conservative Party and Nick Clegg, Leader of the Liberal Democrat Party in supporting the FMB's Building a Greener Britain campaign.
Brian Berry, Director of External Affairs at the Federation of Master Builders said, "We are pleased that the Prime Minister has added his support to the Building a Greener Britain campaign. Mr Brown is right to highlight the important contribution that the construction industry can have in helping to tackle climate change. Our forthcoming research will outline a series of recommendations to Government and the construction sector designed to help householders to make their homes greener and more energy efficient. Given that 70% of this country's buildings stock will still be with us in 2050 it is imperative that measures are taken now to make it greener. Failure to do so will mean the government won't achieve its ambitious target to reduce C02 emissions by 80% by 2050."
The "Building a Greener Britain" research is being undertaken by the Low Carbon Futures team at the Oxford University Environmental Change Institute and is being lead by Gavin Killip, one of the authors of the 40% House report, and Dr Nick Eyre, former Director of Strategy at the Energy Saving Trust.
For more information on the FMB's Building a Greener Britain Campaign please visit: www.buildingagreenerbritain.org.uk
28 April 2008
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Monday 28th April is 'International Workers Memorial Day'; a day to commemorate all those killed at work. It is also a reminder to both the construction sector and the Government to reflect on all the 69 construction workers who died on building sites in 2007/2008 and to redouble their efforts to improve health and safety in the construction sector.
Brian Berry, Director of External Affairs, at the FMB said: "Sadly, too many workers are being killed on construction sites. All those involved in the construction sector need to ensure that health and safety is given the highest priority but the Government also has a responsibility to ensure that its Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has the necessary resources to disseminate its health and safety advice free of charge to all those that request it, and to ensure it can carry out inspections. The sad fact is that cowboy builders are all too often able to avoid an HSE inspection as the chance of being inspected is one in thirteen or fourteen years!"
Berry continued: "The Government could also help by reinstating its funding for the 'Worker Safety Advisor Scheme', which was a successful campaign to take health and safety advice onto the construction sites and offer practical advice to construction workers. Unfortunately, the funding stopped last year but what price can you place on saving a life? Let's hope the Government will have a rethink and does all it can to support the construction industry as it tries to bring about a cultural change to improve health and safety and cut the number of deaths."
28 April 2008
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Four builders have left their JCBs behind, jumped on vintage tractors and are heading from John O'Groats to Lands End to raise money for prostate cancer. The epic, 850 mile journey which they started this Saturday 27th April will take 10 days during which time they will travel through a number of towns and cities including Edinburgh, Carlise, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and Exeter.
The tractor run is to raise awareness of prostate cancer, a disease that 35,000 men in the UK are diagnosed with each year and to raise money for the largest of the charities working specifically in the field of prostate cancer, The Prostate Cancer Charity. So far the team has raised more than £4000!
The team have already had support from a number of companies, including Nissan which has donated a vehicle to be used in the run and provided all fuel for the tractors; organisations, including the Federation of Master Builders which has helped with fundraising and planning and number of public figures including MP for Solihull Lorely Burt and Lord Mayor of Birmingham Councilor Randal Brew OBE.
Taking part in the tractor run will be a 1946 David Brown Cropmaster, driven and owned by Michael Clancy; a 1958 B450 International owned and driven by Geoff Lamb; a 1957 Fordson Major owned and driven by Ian Snape and a 1957 Fordson Dexter driven by Ross King. The team will be lead and supported by Pat McGeever.
Commenting on the tractor run, Pat McGeever, team organiser said: "We are looking forward to our unusual tour of the UK and pleased to be doing our bit to help raise awareness of this very worthy cause - in fact every hour of the day this disease kills a man in the UK. The good news is that if it is caught in time it can be cured. I would urge every man to go along to his GP and get himself checked through a simple blood test."
If you would like to support this worthy cause please visit www.justgiving.com/pmcgeever
28 April 2008
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The construction work load has fallen to its lowest level since spring 2006, reports the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) in its latest State of Trade Survey for Q1 2008. The work load has fallen from +6 in Q4 2007 to -8 in Q1 2008 giving further evidence of the downturn in the economy in the UK. The FMB is expecting this decline in workload to level off and then remain steady for Q2 2008 and the remainder of the year.
The FMB State of Trade Survey reveals that domestic renovation, modernisation and improvement works has been worst hit with the lowest balance of -38. Social housing works have fared better but has still recorded a negative balance of -17.
Commenting on the survey, Brian Berry, Director of External Affairs at the FMB said:
"What our survey shows is that there has been an obvious downturn in the British economy in general so it is unsurprising that its biggest industry, the construction industry, has felt the force of this. While the current situation will cause problems for the immediate future the survey shows it is not a complete disaster with the majority of builders expecting their workloads to remain steady in 2008."
Berry continued, "The construction industry is already facing an acute employment problem with a lack of skilled labour. The State of Trade Survey has verified this problem suggesting that 30% of employers are indeed facing problems recruiting employees. If there are problems at the moment when we have a plentiful supply of migrant workers, what will happen as they begin to return home? What will the picture of the building industry be like in 10 years or five years or even in 18 months? It is critical that the construction sector starts to think about the next generation of builders and takes on more apprentices to fill the growing gap."
Berry concluded, "The FMB expects that things will be difficult for the foreseeable future but we recommend that now is the time for building firms to consider joining a trade association. For example, the FMB's 'Find A Builder' website (www.findabuilder.co.uk) attracts more than 1.5million visitors each year and generates almost £650million worth of new job leads for FMB members, which can make a real difference during these lean times."
22 April 2008
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The construction work load has fallen to its lowest level since spring 2006, reports the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) in its latest State of Trade Survey for Q1 2008. The work load has fallen from +6 in Q4 2007 to -8 in Q1 2008 giving further evidence of the downturn in the economy in the UK.
The FMB is expecting this decline in workload to level off and then remain steady for Q2 2008 and the remainder of the year. But the news is better for the building industry in North West England where the region was the highest performing region in the UK.
Commenting on the survey, Frances Shaw, Regional Director for the FMB in the North West said: "The picture for the construction Industry in the UK is quite uncertain at the moment but I am pleased that the North West region seems to be weathering the storm well although it looks as though there is more to come."
Shaw continued: "Although the North West is relatively strong we are still on hand during these difficult times to help generate more leads for our members, for example through our find a builder website (www.findabuilder.co.uk) which attracts more than 1.5million visitors each year and generates almost £650million worth of new job leads for FMB members, which can make a real difference during the lean times."
22 April 2008
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The construction work load has fallen to its lowest level since spring 2006, reports the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) in its latest State of Trade Survey for Q1 2008. The work load has fallen from +6 in Q4 2007 to -8 in Q1 2008 giving further evidence of the downturn in the economy in the UK. The FMB is expecting this decline in workload to level off and then remain steady for Q2 2008 and the remainder of the year.
Brian Berry, Director of External Affairs at the FMB said:
"For most people, their home is their biggest and most important investment which is why it is crucial that homeowners do not allow their home to fall into disrepair. Even putting off seemingly small jobs can eventually have a huge impact of the value of your home."
Berry continued, "The housing market is already beginning to feel the pinch of the economic downturn, as the recent Royal Institution of Charted Surveyors (RICS) survey reported earlier this month. It is at times like this that homeowners consider improving their existing home rather than moving and the FMBs advice is always ensure that you use a fully qualified, quality builder."
Berry adds, "Ask friends and family for recommendations, ask to see builders' other work, always get at least three quotes but don't necessarily settle for the cheapest one. Using a cheap cowboy builder could end up costing you time, heartache and hassle; all of which could be avoided by using a professional builder."
22 April 2008
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The construction work load has fallen to its lowest level since spring 2006, reports the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) in its latest State of Trade Survey for Q1 2008. The work load has fallen from +6 in Q4 2007 to -8 in Q1 2008 giving further evidence of the downturn in the economy in the UK. The FMB is expecting this decline in workload to level off and then remain steady for Q2 2008 and the remainder of the year.
The worst affected area was reported by members as being Northern Ireland. Delays to public funding promised as part of the peace agreement isn't helping the province's industry but this is being compounded by the demise of the housing market, which after enjoying a significant boom is now falling sharply.
Speaking recently at the opening of the FMB's new Northern Ireland office Sir Reg Empey highlighted the importance of the FMB to the local construction industry and to the wider economy saying: "Skills development is the cornerstone to the success of all sectors. The construction industry is no exception and in designating it as one of Northern Ireland's priority skills areas, my department has recognised this."
Commenting on the survey, Maire Devlin , Regional Director for the FMB in Northern Ireland said: "The decline in workload for the construction industry in Northern Ireland is particularly alarming. For the industry as a whole the FMB is expecting this decline in workload to level off and then remain steady, definitely for Q2 2008 and the foreseeable future, possibly until next year. As a result of the difficulties in the industry the FMB is recommending that building firms to consider joining a trade association. For example the FMB's Find a builder website (www.findabuilder.co.uk) attracts more than 1.5million visitors each year and generates almost £650million worth of new job leads for FMB members, which can make a real difference during the lean times."
22 April 2008
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Figures produced by the Association of British Insurers (ABI) have put the total repair bill for the June and July 2007 floods at £3 billion. With VAT charged at the full rate of 17.5 per cent on almost all building repair work, £525m could be generated in VAT for the Treasury - almost as much as that spent this year on flood defences.
According to the ABI the average homeowner paid £30,000 to have their home repaired following the June floods and £40,000 following the floods in July. This would have meant them paying a VAT bill of £5,250 in June and a VAT bill of £7,000 in July.
Brian Berry, Director of External Affairs, at the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) said,
"What message does this send to those people affected by last summer's floods? It is clearly very wrong that the Government should be making such large amounts of money out of other people's misery and misfortune. The insurance industry has clearly identified that its exposure will be £3 billion with VAT charged at the full rate of 17.5 per cent on almost all building repair work, it is easy to see that the Chancellor is going to be receiving a huge windfall. What is particularly galling is the fact that the Government to date has only made available £86 million to assist the affected regions of the UK."
Berry continued, "It is clear that many of the people affected by the recent floods are some of the most vulnerable in society, many of these people were not fortunate to have insurance and with average repair bills of £30,000 or £40,000 it is clearly wrong that these people on top of everything else should be faced with a VAT bill from the Treasury for £5,250 or £7,000."
Berry concluded, "The FMB has been campaigning for a cut in VAT from 17.5 per cent to 5 per cent for all building repair and maintenance work for many years. In January we formed the 'Cut the VAT' Coalition, a broad coalition of 11 organisations including the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), Empty Homes Agency and the National Home Improvement Council. Examples like this only go to highlight what an unjust tax VAT is. If the Government really wanted to help get these flood damaged communities back on their feet, cutting VAT would be a very good place to start."
11 April 2008
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New homes in every village, town, and city built to a high quality and sensitive to the local environment, would offer a more sustainable long term approach to our housing needs than the Government's top down housing policy which has been dressed up as eco-towns says the Federation of Master Builders.
Commenting on today's Government announcement short listing 15 locations for the 10
eco-towns, Brian Berry, Director External Affairs, says:
"Eco-towns sound lovely but are really a red herring to give the Government's housing plans a stamp of green credibility. The truth is we already know how to create sustainable homes as demonstrated by the BedZed affordable
eco-homes in south London and the renewable energy theme park developed by Kiklees Borough Council in Yorkshire"
Berry continued:"Building brand new eco-towns outside existing settlements is really bad idea when there are 675,000 empty homes in England alone sitting empty, all ripe for refitting with green technologies. Given that demand for housing covers the whole of the UK it makes sense for every village and town to have new housing rather creating brand new settlements."
Berry concluded:"If the Government is really serious about sustainable settlements the better solution would be to develop a patchwork of hundreds of smaller eco-projects, with contracts awarded by local regions for both new homes and refurbishment of old buildings with green measures spread across arrange of proven technologies. Now that really would be a revolution in turning Britain into a more sustainable place to live but the Government seems to think it always know best!"
03 April 2008
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Today the Communities and Local Government (CLG) Select Committee release their latest report, 'Existing Housing and Climate Change'. This is the third report launched this week that focuses on existing housing and climate change; the other reports have been produced by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the Three Regions Climate Change Group (TRCCG). The Cut the VAT Coalition is delighted to see that all three reports call for a reduction in VAT for the refurbishment of existing housing.
Commenting on the launch of the CLG Select Committee report, Cut the VAT Coalition Coordinator Richard Hyslop said: "This is the third report this week calling for a cut in VAT for the refurbishment of existing housing. How many more reports need to reach the same conclusion before the Government takes action? The time for excuses is over, the evidence is clear for all to see, the Government must act now!"
Hyslop continued, "The Cut the VAT coalition wrote to the Chancellor in February informing him that one of the best ways to reduce carbon emissions from UK homes is by reducing VAT on repair and maintenance work. To date we have had no response. Currently the VAT rates are heavily weighted in favour of demolition and new build as opposed to refurbishment - zero per cent VAT on new homes but 17.5 per cent on the renovation and repair of existing homes."
Hyslop concluded, "While it is relatively easy to build zero-carbon homes, it is harder to retrofit the existing housing stock. Homes contribute 27 per cent of the UK's total carbon emissions but existing grants and long pay back periods offer little incentive for householders to make their homes more energy efficient. Reducing the level of VAT from 17.5 per cent to 5 per cent on repairs and maintenance to existing buildings would provide the kick start that is currently needed to encourage every householder to make their home green."
02 April 2008
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