Nations

Devolution to Cardiff, Edinburgh and Belfast began in earnest after 1997, with the subsequent establishment of the parliaments, assemblies and devolved administrations that we see today. More powers and responsibilities have since been transferred. But each nation has different levels of legislative, administrative and budgetary competence. The UK Government has kept certain policy areas as ‘reserved’ or ‘excepted’ to London like taxation and social security.

During Covid-19, the Devolved Administrations used their powers differently to the UK Government in London. Each nation had its own roadmap that involved different approaches, stricter messaging, compulsory policies backed in law, and variable review dates & timings, as local conditions (like the R-Number) dictated. But when First Ministers tightened or eased the restrictions, we gave BMF members the necessary advice or guidance straightaway.

Scotland

BMF members account for approx. £2.03 billion annual sales, employ more than 5,500 people, and trade from 430 locations in Scotland.

The Scottish Parliament and Scottish Government have devolved responsibilities for:

  • economic development 
  • climate change, net zero & energy-efficiency
  • education, training & skills
  • manufacturing
  • construction & infrastructure
  • transport
  • housing & planning
  • water & flood defence.
  

Collaboration

The BMF is a founder member of the Construction Industry Collective Voice. The CICV is an industry alliance that comprises 25 trade associations, employers’ federations and professional bodies that represent Scottish companies active today in the construction, house-building & property RMI markets. We chair the CICV Supply Chain Management Group. Please visit:  https://cicvforum.co.uk/
 

Government

In March 2023, the BMF was asked to serve on the Scottish Construction Leadership Forum. It is a non-statutory, joint government & industry initiative that was established in March 2019 to develop and implement an action plan to transform and modernise construction in Scotland. For example: with training & skills; net zero & carbon reduction; and to attract more women and people of colour to choose construction careers.

The Construction Leadership Forum comprises builders & contractors and public officials - together with (among others) professional bodies (RIBA), trade unions (UNITE), major clients and the enterprise agencies. Meetings are bi-monthly and are chaired by Richard Lochhead, MSP for Moray, and the Minister for Small Business, Innovation, Trade & Tourism.

The CLF’s primary purpose is to deliver the Scottish Construction Accord that sets out to improve outcomes for the employers & workers involved in construction and allied trades & industries - as well as from the industry for its public & private clients - and the wider Scottish economy and environment. The Accord can be found here: https://www.constructionforum.scot/our-work/the-construction-accord.

A core aim is striving to eliminate unsustainable pricing by everyone involved - and to commit themselves to uphold the existing public sector legal requirement to never buy solely on price - and the extend this to all levels of the supply chain and for all contract values.

Current Topics

Heat in Buildings Bill

The Scottish Government has consulted on its plans for heat decarbonisation in residential, commercial & public sector buildings. Ministers want to end fossil fuel heating by 2045 - as well as impose stricter minimum energy-efficiency standards (MEES) for both owner-occupied homes and privately-rented accommodation. The 72-page consultation is here although it closed on 8 March 2024: https://consult.gov.scot/energy-and-climate-change-directorate/proposals-for-a-heat-in-buildings-bill/

In a nutshell, new laws are sought to:

  • prohibit the use of polluting heating from 2045 in all buildings;
  • require owner-occupied homes to meet a MEES by the end of 2033;
  • require landlords of privately-rented homes to a MEES by the end of 2028;
  • require buyers of homes or business premises to end their use of polluting heating within a fixed period after purchase;
  • require people and businesses to end their use of polluting heating when a heat network becomes available that they can connect to.

In setting a MEES, the materials & products likely to be on a future list of approved measures are listed on page 20 - notably insulation of various types & heating controls. Homeowners who have installed these - or as many of them as are feasible for their home - will be considered to have reached a good level of energy efficiency and met the new standard. N.B. it is not intended to apply this legislation to gas cookers or portable heaters used in emergencies.

Water, Wastewater and Drainage Policy

The Scottish Government has consulted on its proposed strategic principles & policies for the future of the water industry (esp. regarding climate change). Ministers sought views on (a) drinking water (b) wastewater and (c) drainage services.

The set questions were (among others) on proposals relating to:

  • managing catchments to identify & minimise risks to drinking water from pollution;
  • water use per person per day that is higher in Scotland than the other home nations;
  • plans and procedures to have ready to use in emergencies to restrict water use;
  • the presence of lead within pipes in people’s homes and associated risks;
  • reducing the impact of rainfall on new developments and SuDS drainage systems;
  • private wastewater systems that are not connected to the public network

The 31-page consultation is here although it closed on 21 February 2024:  https://www.gov.scot/publications/water-wastewater-drainage-policy-consultation/

Low Emission Zones

In May 2022, Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh and Glasgow City Councils introduced Low Emission Zones (LEZ) to tackle roadside nitrogen dioxide emissions.

Low Emission Zones in Scotland are complete bans on polluting vehicles that no do meet minimum emission standards of Euro 4 for petrol or Euro 6 for diesel. There is no option to pay a daily charge for non-compliant vehicles to go into designated zones. Penalty Charge Notices will be issued to operators who send such vehicles into a LEZ. Penalties are on a sliding scale, starting at £60 but rising to £420 (cars & vans) or £900 (HGVs) for a fourth offence.

These cities have a 2-year grace period during which enforcement will not happen to allow private motorists and businesses time to prepare. Full enforcement using Automatic Number Plate Recognition cameras and financial penalties will come into effect in June 2024. More information about financial assistance, exemptions and zone maps is here:  www.lowemissionzones.scot

Your first point-of-contact is Brett Amphlett on (020) 7451 7316 or [email protected]