The Builders Merchants Federation (BMF) has intensified its support services to help members meet the challenges arising from COVID-19. The “emergency” service includes regular updates from the BMF’s daily briefings with the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS), specialist forums delivered as interactive webinars and practical support, such as template letter to support rate relief applications and new COVID-19 Branch Operating Procedures.
The BMF asked BEIS to clarify merchants’ eligibility for the 12 months business rates holiday in England. Ultimately inclusion in the scheme will be a decision for local authorities on a case by case basis having regard to Ministry of Housing Communities and Local Government guidance, and there is likely to be some local interpretation. A template letter to assist members who wish to apply for rate relief can now be downloaded from the BMF website.
The BMF has also started work on a recommended Branch Operating Procedures document, which will be available to download from its website by the end of this week (April 17, 2020). Covering logistics, collection and delivery services and branch best practice, the document will draw on lessons learned from members who have remained open since the lockdown began, as well as the latest Public Health England guidelines.
The BMF has also scheduled two COVID-19-related forums to be held on a digital platform. These will cover Finance on April 23 and HR on April 24. These are in addition to the Plumbing & Heating digital Forum, which is to be held on May 13. All three can be booked on the BMF website.
John Newcomb, chief executive officer of the BMF, said: “These are extremely testing times for the building supply industry, and the BMF’s role in support of our members has never been more important. As part of the Construction Leadership Council, the BMF has daily briefings with BEIS and takes members’ concerns straight to the heart of UK government. We are also making representations to the Scottish government as a member of the Construction Industry Coronavirus Forum.
“All the information we receive is passed on to our members the same day. I am also writing to them personally with a weekly update. The two virtual Forums we are running later this month will give more detailed advice in the critical areas of finance and HR, and will provide more member feedback that we can incorporate in our requests to government.”
John continued: “In addition to working on immediate issues, we are also looking ahead and co-ordinating a product availability group, reporting back to the CLC and BEIS, to consider the availability of key products to manage the return to normal supply levels as construction activity increases.
“Our website is updated daily with the latest information contained within a dedicated COVID-19 area. We are also seeking to maintain a list showing the operational status of both merchant and supplier members during the crisis – which is proving extremely useful to contractors, builders, roofers, plumbers and heating engineers. I would encourage any business that is not yet included to send their current status to paige.godsell@bmf.org.uk.”
