BFC Executive Meeting (29 March 2023 and 31 May 2023)
The BFC Executive met in person on 29 March 2023 to discuss the BFC’s future strategy and topics to cover at an upcoming APPFIG Meeting.
The BFC Executive also met virtually on 31 May 2023. During the meeting, BFC members focused on the forthcoming Confederation Lunch and reached a consensus to create an updated infographic that highlighted the substantial value and importance of the industry within the UK economy. They also agreed to move forward with the coordination of a survey to allow the BFC to share greater insight with Ministers, civil servants, parliamentarians and other stakeholders on the state of the sector and its future challenges.
The next BFC Executive Meeting will take place on 26 July 2023.
APPFIG Meetings (29 March 2023 and 28 June 2023)
The All-Party Parliamentary Furniture Industry Group (APPFIG) held their Annual General Meeting on 29 March 2023 and allowed Members of Parliament and representatives of the UK furniture industry to discuss policy challenges and how Government could help. Topics discussed included: showcasing the new industry data, fire safety regulations, support for exporters and furniture apprenticeships.
The APPFIG also met on 28 June 2023 and heard from a guest speaker – Dr Ruth L Mallors-Ray OBE, Chair of the Strategy Board of the Advanced Machinery and Productivity Institute (AMPI). Ruth kindly agreed to share her insights and expertise with the APPFIG and set out the ambitious plans for AMPI and its relevance to the furniture industry. More information on the work of AMPI can be found at: www.ampi.org.uk.
The APPFIG also discussed fire safety regulations, furniture apprenticeships and offered feedback on the Confederation lunch.
Survey Meeting (4 July 2023)
On 4 July 2023, the members of the BFC Executive held a meeting to discuss the survey work being undertaken by each of the trade associations that are members of the BFC. The key aim of the meeting was to explore better coordination of member surveys.
During the meeting, the BFC reviewed their respective surveys and discussed ways to align them more closely. Suggested additional questions were proposed that could be included in the surveys to ensure similarity and consistency in the data collected.
At the meeting, it was agreed that as the surveys would be conducted at different times, with some members conducting their surveys immediately and others in the autumn, the BFC Executive would compare the answers and findings from these surveys in October, once all the surveys had been completed. By doing so, the BFC aimed to generate comprehensive insights and a holistic understanding of the sector and its challenges.
EVENTS
Speaking at the Confederation lunch: Kevin Hollinrake Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Minister for Enterprise, Markets and Small Business)
MEETINGS
Confederation Lunch
The annual Confederation lunch took place on 12 June on a very warm day in Westminster but not as hot as last year!
It achieved a strong turnout of BFC’s trade association members and corporate members of the Furniture Makers Company. Kevin Hollinrake MP, Minister for Enterprise, Markets, and Small Business, delivered a speech in which he recognised the £42 billion contribution of the UK furniture and furnishings sector. Speeches were also delivered by: Jonny Westbrooke, Clerk and CEO of The Furniture Makers’ Company; Jessica Alexander, BFC Director and Director of Special Projects at the National Bed Federation; Mark Eastwood MP, APPFIG chairman and MP for Dewsbury; and Amanda Waring, Master of The Furniture Makers’ Company.
MEMBERS
Carpet Recycling UK joins the BFC
During the BFC Executive Meeting on 31 May, it was unanimously agreed to accept Carpet Recycling UK’s request to join the BFC. Carpet Recycling UK officially became a member on 1 July 2023 and will now attend Executive meetings. Additionally, Carpet Recycling UK had the opportunity to attend the Confederation lunch.
ACTIVITIES
UK Furniture Industry representation in parliamentary constituencies
The BFC’s research that ranks parliamentary constituencies alongside the number of furniture and furnishings businesses in each constituency has been shared with parliamentarians and is being used to identify new parliamentary industry supporters. The BFC Executive are considering future engagement opportunities with Brevia Consulting, building on this research.
Ongoing engagement with Government Departments
The BFC has continued to liaise with Civil Servants in BEIS (now the Department of Business and Trade) to ensure that industry concerns and issues are brought to the immediate attention of ministers. These have included labour shortages, business rates relief, the future of the super-deduction capital allowance, skills and training, the cost of energy, and supply chain challenges.
Apprenticeships in the furniture and furnishings sector
Following insight from Jeremy Stein at an APPFIG meeting about apprenticeship challenges for the sector, the Chair of the APPFIG wrote to Baroness Ruby McGregor-Smith CBE (Chair, Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IFATE)) regarding Apprenticeship Standards for Furniture Manufacturing-Related Occupations.
The BFC has expressed concerns that despite the ongoing commitment of a significant number of high-profile employers, supported by Trade Associations and FIESTA, little progress has been made in recognising some of the most important Level 2 occupations.
Mark Eastwood MP received a response from Jennifer Coupland (Chief Executive, IFATE) which was shared with the BFC Executive and members of the APPFIG. Jeremy Stein and the BFC Executive were pleased with her response, which confirmed that the three standards can be developed as separate standards, subject to them meeting the occupational criteria and that progression opportunities are available. There is belief in the industry that they will be able to demonstrate the required criteria, which will allow the standards to progress and be approved. FIESTA agreed to keep the BFC Executive and APPFIG informed of progress on this going forward.
Consistent Industry Data
The BFC Executive members have been working to ensure the data used to measure the success of the furniture and furnishings industry is more consistent. The aim is for industry and government to speak with one voice on statistics like the size of the industry, the value of exports and the number of people employed.
The BFC has now produced an updated infographic showcasing these figures which was circulated at the Confederation lunch on 12 June 2023.
Flammability Regulations
The BFC is seeking clarity from the Government on their work to review and amend the furntiure flammability regulations, especially on the safety requirements and types of furniture that will be covered in any proposed amendments and the timetable for the revision of the regulations. During the BFC Executive Meeting on 31 May, the expectation was that the consultation on flammability regulations would be released in the near future and there would be a three-month consultation period. The potential exists for the consultation to be published before summer recess which starts on 20 July 2023.
Tradeshow Support
The BFC is working with the All-Party Parliamentary Furniture Industry Group to address the need for better trade show support. The Confederation is supporting a proposal submitted by Export Partners UK (EPUK) that offers an enhanced and simplified UK Tradeshow and Mission Programme to support the furniture and furnishings sector. Recently, EPUK had a productive meeting with Lord Offord, the new Export Minister. Following this meeting, EPUK was tasked with assembling a concise document, encompassing various industries, including the furniture industry, which will be shared with the Minister.
Waste Prevention Plan
The BFC Executive has continued to work with the All-Party Parliamentary Furniture Industry Group to raise industry concerns with Rebecca Pow MP, Minister for Environment Quality and Resilience, regarding the publication of the Waste Prevention Programme. Resources and waste, environment regulation and the Environment Agency are all vital topics for the furniture, furnishings and bed industry. In March 2021, the furniture industry gave feedback on the ‘Waste Prevention Programme for England: Towards a Resource Efficient Economy’. The publication of this Programme has been considerably delayed and the BFC would like to see the publication of the Programme as soon as possible.