May Releases
Government fiddles while the number living in fuel poverty rockets, says Cut the VAT Coalition
Westminster fiddles while the number living in fuel poverty rockets, says Cut the VAT Coalition
BATJIC Wage Settlement
CE Marking of Construction Products Towards simplification for small construction enterprises
Federation of Master Builders Supports Lord Rogers Condemnation of Eco Town Plans
MPs Back Federation of Master Builders' Call for VAT Cut
72 per cent of MPs Support Cut in VAT
Federation of Master Builders launches hunt for Britain's top apprentices, as study reveals parents favour job-related training over academic study
Federation of Master Builders Responds to Draft Legislative Programme
Tractor Run Raises More Than £8000 for Prostate Cancer Charity
Home Improvement is 'best investment' say UK savers
FMB launches the Master Builder of the Year Awards 2008, as tougher climate raises appeal of award-winning builders
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Today's measures outlined by the Government will do little to help the 4.5 million people in the UK that are currently living in fuel poverty. The Government by comparison is profiting handsomely from the 5 per cent VAT they charge on fuel.
Richard Hyslop, Cut the VAT Coalition Coordinator said,
"Today's announcement by the Government does not go far enough in helping to tackle the growing problem of fuel poverty. The number of people living in fuel poverty in this country has doubled since 2004 and the increase in energy prices will only makes matters worse. The Government cannot sit by and let the most vulnerable people in society suffer any more. We know that even before the recent hike in energy bills a staggering 1.25 million pensioner households live in fuel poverty and that 22 per cent of older people living in fuel poverty go without gas or electricity in order to make ends meet. More worrying is the fact that last year 25,000 people over the age of 65 died of cold related illnesses."
Hyslop continues,
"The Government could stop this desperate situation from getting even worse if it cut VAT on all energy efficient home improvements from 17.5 per cent to 5 per cent. This simple cut would enable thousands of families to upgrade their homes to make them more energy efficient and enjoy a warmer winter. The truth is that the current high rate of VAT on building repair work prevents people, particularly those on low-incomes, from maintaining their homes. In many instances, this results in people living in misery because they cannot afford to have basic repairs or central heating installed. How much higher do fuel bills have to rise before the Government will wake up and cut VAT on measures to make our homes warmer?"
30 May 2008
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Today's measures outlined by the Westminster Government will do little to help the quarter of Scottish household's now experiencing fuel poverty. The Government by comparison is profiting handsomely from the 5 per cent VAT they charge on fuel.
The growing problem of fuel poverty is highlighted in the latest Scottish House Condition Survey which reveals that fuel poverty, defined as a household spending more than 10 per cent of its income on heating, rose from 18 per cent of households in 2004/2005 to 23 per cent of households in 2005/2006.
Richard Hyslop, Cut the VAT Coalition Coordinator said,
"Today's announcement by the Westminster Government does not go far enough in helping to tackle the growing problem of fuel poverty in Scotland. The number of people living in fuel poverty in this country has doubled since 2004 and the increase in energy prices will only makes matters worse. The Government cannot sit by and let the most vulnerable people in society suffer any more."
Hyslop continues,
"The Government could stop this desperate situation from getting even worse if it cut VAT on all energy efficient home improvements from 17.5 per cent to 5 per cent. This simple cut would enable thousands of families to upgrade their homes to make them more energy efficient and enjoy a warmer winter. The truth is that the current high rate of VAT on building repair work prevents people, particularly those on low-incomes, from maintaining their homes. In many instances, this results in people living in misery because they cannot afford to have basic repairs or central heating installed. How much higher do fuel bills have to rise before the Government will wake up and cut VAT on measures to make our homes warmer?"
30 May 2008
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The Joint Secretaries of the Building and Allied Trades Joint Industrial Council (BATJIC) announce that they had reached an agreement on increases to wage rates following a detailed submission from the Union side.
After months of long and very difficult negotiations, BATJIC has reached an agreement that it considers to be fair to both sides.
The new basic hourly rates (based on a 39 hour week) and applying between Monday, 9 June 2008 and Sunday, 7 June 2009 will be:
| S/NVQ3 Qualified Operative | £10.41 | (previously £10.06) |
| S/NVQ2 Qualified Operative | £8.95 | (previously £8.65) |
| Adult General Operative | £7.73 | (previously £7.40) |
The settlement also makes changes to skill rates, apprentice rates, daily fare allowances and death benefits.
Bob Blackman (the union side Joint Secretary) said:
"These negotiations were even more difficult this year than last and certainly the most difficult I have been involved with for some time. However, I am pleased that we have been able to reach an agreement that gives a meaningful increase in pay to construction workers across the UK, and one that continues to reward those who are prepared to undertake training and provide the skills that our industry needs."
Richard Diment (the employers' side Joint Secretary) said:
"The difficulties in reaching an agreement are a direct consequence of the economic difficulties the country is facing. In negotiation with our union colleagues, we had to strike a balance between the needs of the employees on whom our members' businesses depend, and who are suffering from rising prices and taxes, and the need to take into account the worrying drop in workloads experienced by members as a result of the credit crunch. Our members need to remain competitive in order to preserve jobs, they also need to be able to attract the skills that they need in order to continue to provide high quality building services. I feel confident that this agreement will achieve this."
27 May 2008
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The Craftsmen and SMEs of the construction sector welcome the simplification measures contained in the proposal for a Regulation on Construction Products adopted today by the European Commission.
"The Commission proposal proves that the work undertaken by EBC and its members during the last two years has eventually lead to success. Although not all our demands have been met, the proposal contains true simplification measures, which will allow SMEs from the construction sector to CE mark their products more easily," said EBC President W.T. David Croft.
As proposed in the Commission text, small enterprises that have a manufacturing activity, such as joiners, will not be obliged to have their products tested by a notified body before placing their products on the market. Micro enterprises will be able to prove by any means at their disposal, in the form of technical documentation, that their products comply with the rules and regulations in place in the Member States where the product is marketed. The new Regulation proposal foresees the same procedure for enterprises producing non-series products. In addition, SMEs will have the possibility to make use of existing test results obtained previously by other manufacturers or operators without having to involve a notified body, as long as they produce equivalent products.
EBC is nevertheless disappointed that the definition of 'making available on the market' is not sufficiently explicit. Especially products manufactured and integrated into the construction works by the same company should not be considered to have been made available on the market.
Now it is important to ensure that these simplification measures are adopted by the European Council and Parliament. Afterwards, what remains is to work with small construction enterprises to explain to them how they need to proceed.
23 May 2008
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Lord Rogers is absolutely right to describe eco town plans as 'one of the biggest mistakes' the Government could make, says the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).
Brian Berry, Director of External Affairs at the FMB says: "Eco town plans are nothing short of a Government 'greenwash' to hide its outdated housing policy. The reality is that we already know how to create sustainable settlements as demonstrated by the BedZed affordable eco-homes development in south London which has been a shining example to the UK house building industry since 2002. The simple fact is that building brand new 'eco-towns' outside existing towns and cities is a really bad idea when there are 675,000 homes in England alone sitting empty and ripe for refitting with green technologies."
Berry continued: "Given that demand for housing is right across the UK it makes more sense for every village, town and city to have new housing rather than creating brand new settlements. How green are these new towns going to be in transport terms? The sad truth is that any new eco-town can only be another car-based satellite suburb. Even with car clubs, cycle lanes and a top-notch bus service, these places are going to be packed out with new roads and, as we all know, new roads lead to more car use - and more carbon emissions."
Berry continued: "There is also the issue about the role of small contractors in this whole debate or rather their absence!. Handing out massive contracts like this works against all the smaller, more innovative construction building companies springing up around the country which leaves open the possibility of bad decisions being multiplied on a grand scale. The answer to creating green settlements is not to rely solely on one technology or one supplier. A far better model for this scheme would be a patchwork of hundreds of smaller eco-projects, with contracts awarded by local regions and communities for both new homes (in existing towns, near existing transport links) and refurbishment of old buildings, with green measures spread around a range of proven technologies. Now that really would be a revolution in turning Britain into a greener more sustainable place to live!"
22 May 2008
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The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) today welcomes the conclusion in the House of Commons Communities and Local Government Select Committee report on the supply of rented housing calling for a reduction in VAT on repairs and maintenance.
The report states the high rate of VAT makes it too expensive for many landlords to maintain or refurbish their properties and encourages neglect leading to demolition and new build. Moreover, the financial disincentive to repair and maintenance work caused by the high rates of VAT is often the root cause that allows homes to fall into disrepair in the first place. The resulting vacancy and dereliction blights whole neighbourhoods, depresses property values and attracts crime, putting unnecessary demands on the police and fire services. Conversely, the regenerative effect on the street and the wider neighbourhood of reusing empty property can be striking.
Brian Berry, Director of External Affairs at the FMB said, "According to the Government's own figures, there are 7 million homes classed as "non-decent" in England alone i.e. substandard in terms of their state of repair, kitchen and bathroom facilities, heating and insulation, a disproportionate number of these homes are in the private rented sector. The current high rate of VAT on building repair work acts as a disincentive for private landlords to maintain their properties. In many instances, this results in tenants living in misery because their landlords will not carry out basic repairs on their properties. What makes this worse is that these tenants tend to be the most vulnerable people in our society, with the elderly particularly at risk."
Berry continued, "A reduced rate of VAT from 17.5 % to 5% has the potential to make a positive impact in areas that need regenerating as well as supporting environmentally sustainable improvements to properties that reduce carbon emissions."
22 May 2008
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A massive 72 per cent of MPs support a cut in VAT from 17.5 per cent to 5 per cent for all building repair and maintenance work according to new research carried out by ComRes on behalf of the 'Cut the VAT' Coalition.
Richard Hyslop, Coalition Coordinator said, "With the vast majority of MPs supporting a cut in VAT for building repair and maintenance work and with a majority of MPs from each of the three main political parties supporting a cut in VAT, the time for excuses is over; the Government must act now and cut this pernicious tax."
Hyslop continued, "Reducing VAT on building repair and maintenance work would help end the scandal of empty homes, reduce the number of families living in substandard housing, stop the destruction of existing buildings, tackle fuel poverty and increase the number of zero-carbon homes."
Brian Berry, Director of External Affairs at the Federation of Master Builder concluded, "We are delighted that so many MPs support a cut in VAT for building repair and maintenance work. Cowboy builders flourish by evading VAT so reducing the rate of VAT on domestic building work to 5 per cent will significantly reduce their commercial advantage and the financial incentive to choose a rogue will diminish. In time, this will drive the rogue traders out of the market as customers focus on quality and value not just price."
20 May 2008
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The majority of parents (84%) believe job-related training is a more attractive option for school leavers than academic study, according to research released as the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) launches its hunt for Britain's top apprentices.
The FMB is inviting entries for The Apprentice of the Year Awards 2008, a nationwide search for the cream of the construction industry's talent, with a £1,000 top prize. The competition is run in conjunction with the FMB's Master Builder of the Year Awards. It is open to any UK apprentice in the construction industry, not just those who are working for FMB member firms.
The FMB is seeking nominations from employers, customers, tutors or members of ConstructionSkills for apprentices in any building trade. Those entered could win the title 'Apprentice of the Year 2008', a £1,000 cash prize, and luxury weekend breaks for themselves and the person nominating them.
Last year's winner, Mark Lynch, an apprentice carpenter with City Building Glasgow, fought off competition from hundreds of apprentices around the UK, winning the title for his high standard of workmanship, commitment and fantastic attitude.
"It is clear that the majority of parents believe that an apprenticeship offers young people a better route to employment and more employer-friendly business skills," says Richard Diment, director general of the FMB, the UK's largest building trade association. "Talented and committed apprentices are vital to the future of the industry and should be given the recognition they so rightly deserve."
"In the building industry, we face a shortage of skilled tradespeople. Apprenticeships offered by quality building firms ensure that Britain establishes high standards amongst craftsmen and women for the future. The FMB is determined to reward these, often overlooked, talented young people, whose hard work, outstanding ability and 'can do' attitude provides a valuable contribution to the businesses they work for," Richard added.
For more details and an entry form go to the FMB Master Builder of The Year Awards 2008 page or call 0870 162 0942. The closing date for entries is 31st July and Naomi Cleaver will present the winners with their awards at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London, on Thursday 13th November 2008.
The FMB works with the construction industry's training organisation, ConstructionSkills, to encourage a high calibre of school leavers into the building profession.
The Apprentice of the Year is sponsored by ConstructionSkills, Screwfix and the Cross Industry Construction Apprenticeships Task Force.
20 May 2008
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The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) commenting on today's draft legislative programme says:
Apprenticeships
The Prime Minister's announcement that he intends to establish a statutory basis for the apprenticeship programme has been welcomed by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB). The FMB has, however, questioned how this will work in practice.
Brian Berry, Director of External Affairs at the FMB said:
"The skills agenda is high on the FMB's agenda so this initiative is certainly a step in the right direction. The problem is not a lack of people wanting an apprenticeship because last year 30,000 young people applied for a ConstructionSkills apprenticeship position but only 8,500 were accepted. The key question now is how the Government plans to incentivise employers to take on apprentices as it costs an employer on average £14,000 in the first year to train an apprentice. Financial support will be essential if this proposal is to work but has the Government got the money to do this?"
First Time buyers
Announcements to help people get on the housing ladder still fail to address the key problem that the Government is failing to meet its own housing targets.
Brian Berry said:
"The sad fact is that the Government is already failing to meet its own housing target of 240,000 new homes each year as last year around 186,000 were homes were built and we are still waiting to hear about what the Government will do to tackle the existing building stock to make it greener and more energy efficient. What we have been given today is a piecemeal approach which is firing off in all directions and going nowhere. The government's new home-buy scheme for all first-time buyers earning less than £60,000 is not going to receive any extra funding so the number of people who will benefit from it looks to be minimal. If the Government really wants to make a difference to first time buyers it should simply cut Stamp Duty."
Heritage planning changes
Britain's national heritage is threatened by the VAT burden that repairs and maintenance work carries. Buildings of historical interest - especially those that are locally important but do not enjoy the grant support that flows from national listed status - will continue to be lost to modern developments unless the costs of their maintenance can be reduced.
Brian Berry said:
"The streamlining of the registration system for historic buildings is a positive step by the Government, but does nothing to make the cost of vital repairs to our historically significant buildings more bearable. The Prime Minister has missed an opportunity to cut VAT from 17.5 per cent to 5 per cent for all building repair and maintenance work. The proper maintenance of our historic buildings encouraged by a reduced rate of VAT on maintenance and repair work would support and in many cases help to restore civic pride in the local environment. The resulting regeneration would also promote training and employment in traditional building crafts, thus giving younger people a wider skills base."
14 May 2008
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 The four vintage tractors that embarked on an epic 850 mile journey from John O'Groats have today completed their tour of the UK, arriving at Lands End. The aim of the tour has been to raise awareness of and generate funds for the Prostate Cancer Charity. During the tour, which has taken 13 days to complete, the tractors travelled through Edinburgh, Carlisle, Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol and Exeter.
During the course of the marathon drive the team was able to raise more than £8000 for the largest of the charities working specifically in the field of prostate cancer, the Prostate Cancer Charity. A large majority of the money raised was contributed by FMB members. The South West branch raised £250, the Northern Counties region raised £300 and Solihull and Bristol branches of the FMB both raised a huge £2000 each!
The team has 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 the MP for Solihull Lorely Burt and the Lord Mayor of Birmingham Councilor Randal Brew OBE.
The tractors that took part in the run included 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 was lead and supported by Pat McGeever.
Brian Berry, Director of External Affairs at the FMB said:
"A big well done to the tractor run team on the completion such a momentous tour of the UK and on raising such a huge amount for the Prostate Cancer Charity. The FMB has been pleased to support them as they have achieved their aim to help raise awareness of Prostate Cancer as well as raising money for charity.
"Prostate Cancer kills one man every hour in the UK; a very serious yet, if caught in time, curable disease. We are pleased that so many FMB members have dug deep into their pockets to help the tractor run team raise so much money for research into prostate cancer."
8 May 2008
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 Despite the credit crunch and reports of falling property prices, homeowners still believe the best investment choice for 2008 is building, renovating or improving their own homes.
'Getting the builders in' beat ISAs, shares and premium bonds as the best way to make money, according to a survey conducted on behalf of the FMB Master Builder of the Year Awards 2008, the search for the best builder in Britain.
The vast majority - 60% of women and 50% of men - said home improvement was the best way to make money, more than double the number favouring any other investment.
Less than a quarter favoured traditional products such as ISAs (23%) and only 10% rated shares. Premium bonds, lottery tickets, wine and art scarcely registered as good investments.
The most popular home improvements were new kitchens and remodelled gardens – particularly amongst 20-somethings and 30-somethings. Almost half had added a new kitchen as an investment and 40% had improved their garden as a way to make their home worth more. A third favoured adding a downstairs loo or a walk-in shower, but less than 10% deemed the much-touted conservatory a real investment.
"Putting money away for a rainy day is definitely sensible, but it certainly doesn't make you feel as good as getting a good builder to add an extension, which creates space and makes for a better standard of living," said FMB director general Richard Diment, as he announced the 2008 Master Builder of the Year Awards to find the best builder in Britain.
"For most people a home is the biggest investment they are ever going to make. Improving what they've got, not only ensures a better living environment, but also provides a better property worth more when the time comes to sell," said the presenter of C4 Grand Designs Trade Secrets Naomi Cleaver. "A well-maintained, up-to-date property will hold its value far better than a shabby, out-dated one."
"But good home improvement work relies on having a good builder. Choose wisely and before embarking on building work, find a good builder, agree plans and costs and let them get on with the job," advised Naomi.
"A professional builder who executes well-finished work is to be thanked not only for improving your everyday life by, say, creating an open plan kitchen, a home office in the loft or separate rooms for the children, but also for increasing the value of your house to boot."
"So, if you've had building work done by a good builder and want to thank them, then why not enter them for the Master Builder of the Year Awards 2008," says Naomi.
The Master Builder of the Year Awards gives customers a chance to thank their builder for a job well done. They are unique because to enter, a builder must be nominated by a satisfied customer who is so pleased with their finished project that they feel their builder deserves national recognition. It is designed to reward both builders and clients, which means if your builder wins, you could enjoy a £3,000 holiday"
The competition has a wide range of categories to make sure it is open to all builders. Categories cover New Homes, Renovations, Energy Efficient buildings, Commercial Projects (up to £3m), with a special Heavenly Builder award for builders who display outstanding levels of customer service, no matter how small the job they undertake.
You can enter online here or by calling 0870 162 0942. The closing date for entries is 31st July and Naomi Cleaver will present the winners with their awards at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London, on Thursday November 13th 2008.
Master Builder of the Year 2008 is organised by the Federation of Master Builders in association with Nissan Motor (GB) Ltd, and in partnership with Aon Ltd, B & CE Benefit Schemes, Barceló Hotels, British Gypsum Ltd, BuildStore, ConstructionSkills, CSCS, HBXL, Hilti, Velux, Homebuilding and Renovating, NHBC, Energy Saving Trust, Envirowise, Paramount Group of Hotels, Professional Builder magazine, Sage (UK) Ltd, Screwfix Direct, Travis Perkins, and Master Builder magazine and CCATF.
8 May 2008
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FMB launches its annual search for the best builders in Britain, the Master Builder of the Year Awards 2008, into an increasingly competitive building market, where accolades may make the difference between winning and losing contracts.
It's not all doom and gloom - latest research by the FMB has found that despite the credit crunch, homeowners still think that having a good builder in to extend or improve their home is a far better investment choice than buying ISAs, stocks or shares.
This year's search for the best builder in Britain is backed by C4 Grand Designs Trade Secrets, Naomi Cleaver, who took builders from London's quality refurbishment specialist, Eaton Gate Ltd, to the City to highlight their investment potential.
However, in a tougher market, clients have more choice of contractor and award-winning builders rise to the top of the pile. Given the growth in prestige and popularity of the Master Builder of the Year Awards and the national, regional and local media interest generated by the competition, simply entering the competition could set you apart from the rest.
Said Richard Diment, FMB Director General: "There is no doubt that Master Builder of the Year is the title that every builder aspires to. Past winners, be they regional or national, have all seen significant benefits in entering the awards. There are nine separate categories to match the type of work most small and medium sized building firms undertake spanning new build, refurbishment, energy efficiency and waste minimisation, plus a separate award for the Apprentice of the Year.
"New for this year is the "Investment in Workforce Training and Development" category, supported by CSCS, which aims to recognise the achievement of firms that offer their employees opportunities to improve their skills for the benefit of their business, their customers and the industry.
"We are also delighted that Nissan Motor (GB) Ltd has agreed to be our lead partner for a fifth year, and we thank all our Award partners for their continued support."
The overall winner - the Master Builder of the Year 2008 - will receive the brand new Nissan Light Commercial Vehicle of their choice worth up to £20,000, while their client will be rewarded with a £3,000 luxury holiday! The Apprentice of the Year 2008 will receive a cash prize of £1,000.
If you have just completed a project you are proud of, make sure you enter this year's Awards. You can enter online here or by calling 0870 162 0942.
The closing date for entries is 31st July and Naomi Cleaver will present the winners with their awards at the Royal Lancaster Hotel in London, on Thursday 13th November 2008.
8 May 2008
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