Unfair subsidies for the burning of woody biomass
During the course of 2012 the BFC kept up the pressure on government highlighting concerns about the unintended consequences of biomass subsidies on the cost of wood based raw materials. The Prime Minister was presented with a letter from 29 furniture executives, swiftly followed by the delivery of an e-petition of 1621 signatories, to the Chancellor.
While some of the subsidies remain in place, there has been a notable shift in the Government’s position regarding biomass with greater consideration being given to its impact on other industries. The BFC will keep up the pressure.
Flammability Regulations
The BFC has worked closely with civil servants on the proposed revision of the Furniture Regulations. This has required consistent dialogue and meetings with Ministers to ensure that there will be no reduction in safety standards. The need for the Regulations appears to be being challenged and the BFC will continue to ensure that the furniture industry’s position is made clear, especially to new Ministers as they take up new positions following reshuffles.
Apprenticeships
The BFC arranged for a number of young apprentices to meet the chair Stephen McPartland MP and other members of the APPFIG at the Group’s Annual General Meeting at the Houses of Parliament in October 2012. The aim was to demonstrate to Members of Parliament the diversity of training needs for the furniture sector and how those needs are currently being met in various parts of the country.
Furniture exhibition in the Houses of Parliament
In July 2012, the BFC held secured space in the upper lobby of the House of Commons to demonstrate the diversity and importance of the UK furniture industry to MPs, Lords and visitors. The week long exhibition was kicked off with a launch event at which the results of a BFC survey covering consumer perceptions of the importance of British Furniture were presented.
Late invoice payments by Government
The BFC has worked with Members of Parliament to raise our concerns about the payment record of central and local government, and have called for improvements. In response to lobbying by industry bodies including the BFC, the Government has launched an initiative to help tackle the problem of corporate late payment. The Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS) launched a voluntary code to encourage best payment practice within the supply chain.
Wood burning boiler emissions
Consultations with industry by the BFC enabled it to persuade DEFRA that any decisions on decreased particulate and CO2 emissions in relation to existing plant should be deferred for two years. This deferment was only agreed on the understanding that the BFC prepare a report for DEFRA by autumn 2013.
De-Regulation – the Red Tape Challenge
While the BFC is keen to see essential regulations retained (such as those covering the fire safety of furniture and furnishings) it is also keen to see the removal of contradictory or ineffective regulation. To this effect it ensured that UK legislation for bunk beds was removed, leaving one common, effective, European standard.