FMB Annual Parliamentary Reception 2023

We were delighted to once again be able to return to the House of Lords for the FMB Annual Parliamentary Reception 2023, on 6 September. Each year the event gives us an opportunity to ensure that the issues which matter most to you, our members, can be heard by our politicians in Westminster, as well as allowing us to celebrate the achievements of our organisation.

This year’s event was kindly sponsored by the People’s Partnership, and hosted by Liberal Democrat Peer, Lord Stunell. We were thrilled to be joined by a range of excellent speakers, including the Government Minister, who spoke passionately about subjects including the vital need to introduce licensing for builders and the campaign to retrofit homes across the UK.

What was said?

Brian Berry, FMB Chief Executive, took the opportunity to speak about the achievements of the FMB over the past year, and to pay tribute to the essential role that the industry plays in supporting people across the UK with freedom and security in their lives.

Brian also looked to focus in on the campaign to licence builders and subsequently improve standards, noting the clear market need for regulation especially as we begin to retrofit homes. He highlighted the opportunity this presents to deliver on a minimum competence level for builders.

The Minister for Enterprise, Markets and Small Business, Kevin Hollinrake MP, spoke about the steps that the Government have been taking to promote small business, particularly within the construction sector, and highlighted the value of the industry to the wider economy.

Referencing his own nearly 30 year career as an estate agent, before becoming an MP, he talked about his previous work with building firms, and stressed the importance of the Government supporting the industry to grow wherever possible.

Conservative MP Mark Garnier, a long-time champion of the cause for introducing licensing, spoke passionately about his own experience of hiring poor quality builders, highlighting the level of regulation in each step of the process to reach the stage where building work can start, yet the lack of this needed for hiring the builders themselves.

Mark’s 2021 Domestic Building Works (Consumer Protection) Bill in Parliament was a vital step in highlighting the importance of this issue, and is something the FMB hopes to continue to work with him on going forward.

Nicola Sinclair, the Head of Responsible Business and Construction Alliance at People’s Partnership, the sponsor for the event, talked about the work that their organisation.

Nicola spoke about the work that their Charitable Trust has done in donating funding to the construction industry, alongside the provision of financial support for research into Health and Safety to help keep workers safe, and their participation in the Women Into Construction employment programme.

She also talked further about the amazing work the People’s Partnership does to support worthy causes which extend far beyond the construction industry.

Finally, we heard from the FMB National President Jan Etchells, who took the opportunity to reflect on her time in the role, at what will have been her final Parliamentary Reception as President.

We are hugely grateful to Jan for all of her work during this period of great change in the industry, and congratulate her on her numerous achievements over the past 3 years.

Why these events matter

The 2023 Parliamentary Reception was a great success, with more than 100 people joining us in the House of Lords. Events like this help to ensure that the work of the FMB is able to reach the widest possible audience, and can be heard by the decision makers in our society. The reception was attended by many Lords, MPs and industry stakeholders, who we will continue to work with to push forward our members’ needs.

At the event we asked for the Government to take the steps necessary to introduce a proper licensing system for the construction industry, and highlighted the importance of a nationwide programme of retrofitting. 

Events like this are vital in ensuring that the work we do throughout the year actually has a real impact, and this means our members having their voices heard at the highest level. Our speakers at the event were fully of praise for the work which the FMB does, which we were delighted to hear as this demonstrates clearly that our message is cutting through.

Thanks to all who took part...