FMB MANIFESTO
kickstart a thriving retrofit construction sector. 4. Standards work with industry to introduce a licensing scheme for building firms and sole traders operating in the repair, maintenance and improvement (RMI) sector. 5. Business resilience introduce a national scrappage scheme to coincide with the rise of vehicle emission zones; and reduce VAT on RMI work to boost small builders and encourage consumers to make their homes more energy efficient.
Dhesi set out his party’s views on how
Lee Rowley MP, Minister of State for Housing
Natalie Elphicke MP, event host
Labour will tackle the housing crisis if elected, and reiterated the importance of ensuring high standards in construction to safeguard the future of the industry. The FMB has fought passionately for many years for the introduction of a mandatory licensing scheme to set minimum standards for construction and end the scourge of rogue builders. The FMB will continue to champion the importance of a mandatory licensing scheme to ensure builders who deliver high-quality services to their customers receive the recognition they deserve. Wera Hobhouse MP, Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Energy and Climate Change, offered her insights into the challenges the UK faces when it comes to retrofitting existing homes with energy- efficient measures. Hobhouse’s message underscored why the FMB has made energy efficiency a key component of the manifesto, calling on the next government to roll out energy-efficient measures. It makes the case for the introduction of a long-term strategy to map out the steps required to retrofit the UK’s homes, and to incentivise both industry and consumers to kickstart a thriving retrofit construction sector.
the Liberal Democrats Natalie Elphicke, former Conservative
MP (at the time of the event) and now Labour MP
Tan Dhesi MP, Labour Party
What the current government said?
Housing Minister Lee Rowley MP spoke about the challenges the UK faces in delivering high- quality, much-needed homes. Brandishing his copy of the manifesto, the Minister praised its ambition and highlighted the FMB’s valuable work fighting for real change for small builders. The FMB supports builders and works with top government officials to ensure members’ voices are heard. The Housing Minister’s support at the launch of the FMB’s manifesto is a clear sign that the message is being heard by those in power.
What happened at the launch?
The manifesto launch, which was sponsored by Openreach, featured speakers from across the political spectrum, as well as the FMB’s National President Chris Carr and Chief Executive Brian Berry. Notable political guests in attendance included: Minister of State for Housing Lee Rowley MP Tan Dhesi MP from the Labour Party Wera Hobhouse MP from
Wera Hobhouse MP, Liberal Democrats
What opposition parties said? Tan Dhesi MP, Shadow
Business Minister and long- term supporter of the FMB’s work, spoke on behalf of the Labour Party.
Why do these events matter?
The launch of the FMB’s ‘Growth from the ground up’ manifesto was a great success for the FMB. More than 100 industry stakeholders, MPs, Lords, and Members of Parliament attended, highlighting just how much support the FMB commands politically and throughout the industry. The FMB asked for the next government to take steps to:
construction firms in a difficult economic climate.
boost house building significantly; roll out energy efficiency measures; encourage young people to enter the workforce by funding training and apprenticeships; introduce minimum standards to professionalise our industry; and provide wider business support to SME
Events like this ensure the voices of the nation’s hard-working local builders reach the widest possible audience and are heard by the country’s decision- makers to bring about positive change for the industry.
To read the manifesto, scan the QR code or find it on the FMB’s website.
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Master Builder
www.fmb.org.uk
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