Welcome BRIAN BERRY
A s we approach the end of another in 2024. On page 19, we highlight our members’ focus and concerns for next year as they reflect on lessons learnt in 2023. We can eventful year, we can also start to speculate on what lies ahead certainly expect a general election but when it will be called remains a hot topic. The Prime Minister’s decision will depend on how the economy fares and when the inflation rate is under control – so that could mean calling an election in May or early autumn. What is clear from the recent party conference season is that housing and the urgent need to build more homes are rising up the political agenda as is the need to make our existing 29 million homes more energy efficient. Prioritising SME builders These are good opportunities for the building industry, but it is crucial that the new work is open to SME contractors if we are to have widespread economic growth across the UK. The FMB will be capturing these concerns in our policy manifesto, which we’ll be launching next year ahead of the general election. One of the policy issues that we’ll be championing is the need to licence building companies. It’s an issue that we’ve been calling for over the last five years and despite a Private Members Bill being tabled in the House of Commons in November 2021, the Government, to date, has remained non-committed. On pages 28-31,
What is clear from the party conference season is housing and the urgent need to build more homes are rising up the agenda
we look at the importance of licensing and how not having it can badly impact consumers. The fact that 32% of consumers are put off having work done to their homes because of concerns about employing a reputable builder demonstrates the scale of the problem and the need to raise standards in our industry. To help address consumer reassurance, I’m pleased to flag that FMB Insurance Services Ltd (FMBIS) can now offer an Insurance Backed Guarantee (IBG) for members’ work. You can find out more about IBG on page 20. Taking the FMB forward over the next two years is our new National President and Chair of the FMB Board, Chris Carr. The results of the FMB Annual General Meeting (AGM) in September are highlighted on page 38. You can find out more on page 27 about the overall winner of the FMB Master Builder Awards, Vantage & Co Group Limited. The fantastic restoration of a hidden house in the centre of Birmingham is a brilliant example of what can be done to bring old buildings back to life. We need more of this if we are to revitalise our town and city centres. Putting business aside, I also want to take this opportunity to wish you a very happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
BRIAN BERRY, Chief Executive Federation of Master Builders
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Master Builder
www.fmb.org.uk
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