New Government under Prime Minister Liz Truss
Boris Johnson MP resigned as Prime Minister in July 2022, sparking a Conservative Leadership Challenge. In September 2022, it was announced that Liz Truss MP had won the Leadership contest. She became Prime Minister and Leader of the Conservatives on 6 September 2022. The confirmation of new Ministerial appointments was delayed due to the passing of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II.
The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy has now confirmed ministerial responsibilities. Jackie Doyle-Price MP has been appointed Minister for Industry which includes consumer goods, supply chains and skills. Dean Russell MP has been appointed Minister for Enterprise and Markets with responsibility for small business and the Office for Product Safety and Standards.
At the time of writing, the Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs has yet to confirm ministerial responsibilities.
Confederation Lunch Summer 2022
The BFC held the Confederation Lunch on 19 July 2022 in the House of Commons which provided a useful opportunity for industry representatives to meet parliamentarians. The event coincided with the hottest day on record in London and this sadly impacted external guests who were unable to travel to London.
Attendance by Ministers and parliamentarians was not affected and the then Minister for Small Business, Consumers and Labour Markets, Jane Hunt MP, spoke at the event together with Paul Scully MP (the former BEIS Minister) and Mark Eastwood MP. Following the recent ministerial changes, Paul Scully MP continues in his role as Minister of State at the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities with responsibility for Building Safety.
UK Furniture Industry representation in parliamentary constituencies
The BFC commissioned new research which ranks parliamentary constituencies alongside the numbers of businesses in each constituency. This was completed by Brevia Consulting in August 2022. This data will now be used to contact MPs that have large numbers of furniture industry businesses in their constituencies and seek their support to address industry challenges.
Energy Utility Survey
At the BFC Executive Meeting on 12 September 2022, the BFC agreed to conduct a survey on energy usage within the sector. A comprehensive set of questions was circulated within the BFC for circulation by trade associations and the results of the survey will be discussed at the next meeting.
Skills/Labour – Manufacturing Workforce Assessment
At the BFC Executive Meeting on 12 September 2022, the BFC agreed to conduct a Manufacturing Workforce Assessment.
Ongoing engagement with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy
The BFC has continued to liaise with Civil Servants in BEIS to ensure that the 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.
Consistent Industry Data
BFC Executive members agreed at the BFC meeting on 17 May to make the data used to measure the success of the furniture and furnishing industry more consistent. The aim would be for the 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. At the BFC Executive Meeting on 14 July 2022, Members agreed to arrange a meeting to discuss the figures, once they’ve been finalised. The BFC also agreed at the BFC Executive Meeting on 12 September 2022 to create a new infographic demonstrating the updated figures.