Joinery industry raises its voice with MPs

A creative visual summary of the joinery industry’s demands from Government is at the heart of a new lobbying campaign by the BWF.
 
The infographic of the BWF Policy Manifesto sets out the industry’s major strengths and achievements in the areas of manufacturing, skills and training, contribution to growth and innovation in construction, and the promotion of sustainable wood products. It also summarises the industry’s wish list from the new Government, particularly aimed at boosting jobs, growth and productivity.
 
The BWF has been in contact with a wide range of political stakeholders this month, including Ministers, more than 300 MPs with BWF member firms in their constituencies, committee chairmen, civil servants and policy advisers. BWF member firms are also being supplied with a lobbying toolkit, to help them make their own approaches to MPs.
 
Iain McIlwee, chief executive of the BWF (pictured left), said:
 
“In lobbying government, opposition and the devolved administrations, and in channelling the views of BWF members, we can give joinery manufacturers a seat at the top table when debating wider construction or material sector concerns, addressing the burdens on business and promoting the use of the most sustainable mainstream construction material. It is through working together that our industry can deliver a stronger voice on issues such as late payment, apprenticeships, access to finance, housing and RMI policy and reduction of red tape.

“We are showing that we need to be taken seriously. The UK wood products manufacturing sector is a vital part of the construction industry, adding £3.8 billion to the UK economy every year. Carpentry and joinery also represents the third largest sector of employment in construction and brings skilled jobs to both rural and urban areas.
 
“To protect and harness the skills of the industry, and in order to achieve the 4,000 net increase in labour every year for the next five years that this industry needs, it is crucial that our voice is heard by policymakers. Through working in partnership with other industry groups such as Wood for Good, Confor, the Structural Timber Association and others, we are making steady progress to raise the political profile of this sector.”
 
The BWF expressed strong views on the Queen’s Speech last month and will be writing again to the Chancellor, George Osborne, in advance of the emergency Budget on 8 July.