BMF News http://www.bmf.org.uk How the building materials’ supply chain is coping in difficult economic times - and responding to the carbon challenge - was the focus of a visit by Ian Lucas MP and Susan Elan Jones MP in July. The visit was arranged by the BMF as another in http://www.bmf.org.uk/?page=423 A big disappointment and a major opportunity lost...  Although the BMF recognises and supports the Governments duty to reduce the Budget defcit we are dismayed at George Osborne’s failure to lower VAT to 5% for home improvement work. His http://www.bmf.org.uk/?page=418 Low or zero-carbon solutions to help constituents save money on energy bills - and choose a greener way of life - were the focus of a visit by Defra Minister Jim Paice MP in Ely in June. The MP for South East Cambridgeshire went into his local bra http://www.bmf.org.uk/?page=417 Top speakers Anthony Hilton, Chief Economist at the Evening Standard, and Roger Humber, Consultant to the House Builders Federation are guest speakers at this year’s BMF Members’ Day. The event returns on 14th September to the Marriott http://www.bmf.org.uk/?page=416 Neil Lawrence of Jewson, and Paul Hetherington, of Alumasc Interior Building Products have joined the BMF Board. Both were elected at the Regional Chairman’s meeting held last month. Paul has been Managing Director of Alumasc for the past nine http://www.bmf.org.uk/?page=415 In 2007 the BMF brokered an industry-wide agreement on how merchants should sell bulk bagged aggregates. This was reached between merchant members, the aggregate packaging sector and trading standards to resolve the problem of pre filled bags of sand http://www.bmf.org.uk/?page=414 The future availability of MOL product knowledge courses is now guaranteed until the end of this year, thanks to a new deal between the BMF and the Manchester College. Fears that the MOL programme would have to close at the end of July have been ave http://www.bmf.org.uk/?page=413 The numbers enrolling for the BMF Diploma in Merchanting has reached an all time high of 21.The Diploma is the industry standard qualification for up and coming managers. Three groups are now running in the Northern, Southern and South West Regi http://www.bmf.org.uk/?page=412 How do you help a customer who’s been asked to harvest rainwater, install solar collectors or lag his client’s walls in the most eco-friendly manner?  Invest in training one of your team to understand what he’s talking abo http://www.bmf.org.uk/?page=395 The BMF has written to the Home Office stating our dissatisfaction at the latest £15m scheme announced recently which offers discount vouchers for home security products through DIY stores. This is yet another scheme where the merchant has been http://www.bmf.org.uk/?page=353