The Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) has advised the Government on the likely impact of coronavirus on the building materials supply chain and warned of the devastating impact if the pandemic shuts down the construction sector.
The BMF says it will continue to express the concerns of the sector over the coming weeks as the situation develops and requested urgent meetings with the Business Minister, Nadhim Zahawi and with key contacts at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) to discuss specific industry-related issues.
The BMF is also issuing twice-weekly bulletins with the most up-to-date advice both from the Government and the Confederation of British Industry (CBI).
The federation is also cancelling all regional meetings, events and forums for the next eight weeks, as well as ramping up online training to replace classroom style courses, with a series of webinars.
John Newcomb, chief executive officer of the BMF, said: “It is exactly at times of business uncertainty that any industry needs a strong, reliable and effective trade association to represent its interests.
“We will do all we can to help and support members through this very difficult period.”
The BMF has also instituted home working for most of its staff. A skeleton staff, including John, will continue to work from their Coventry headquarters.
 has advised the Government on the likely impact of coronavirus on the building materials supply chain and warned of the devastating impact if the pandemic shuts down the construction sector.){kind=link}