The following is a summary of the BFC’s activity with government over the past few months.
Trade and Exports
Secretary of State for International Trade Re-appointed
Elizabeth Truss MP was reappointed Secretary of State for International Trade during the February Cabinet Reshuffle. Ms Truss will continue to be responsible for a series of policy areas relevant to the Furniture Industry including the UK Global Tariff consultation and the Freeports consultation. The BFC has written to the new Secretary of State following her reappointment and called for improvements to Tradeshow Access Programme (TAP) administration and funding.
Trade Negotiations
The BFC has continued to engage with the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) through a series of briefing sessions aimed at trade associations and industry representatives. We have also received written briefings from BEIS.
Most recently, BFC representatives have attended meetings at BEIS discussing the Most Favoured Nation Tariffs consultation and the Freeports consultation.
Now the UK has left the EU, the BFC will continue to engage with the Government on the negotiations for a future relationship. The UK Government’s negotiating guidelines can be found here.
Skills and Education
Gavin Williamson MP reappointed as Secretary of State for Education
On 13 February 2020, it was announced Gavin Williamson MP would continue as Secretary of State for Education. Mr Williamson is responsible for the range of policies the Department for Education manages, which includes apprenticeships and skills, as well as education policy. In light of recent developments in education funding which will impact the furniture industry’s success, the BFC will be highlighting the importance of training and education in the furniture industry to Mr Williamson.
FIESTA Confirms Eight Level 2 Manufacturing Apprenticeship Pathways
The Furniture and Interiors Education, Skills and Training Alliance (FIESTA), which a number of BFC members are part of, was pleased to be able to confirm in January that eight Level 2 Manufacturing Apprenticeship Pathways will be renewed in 2020.
The BFC regularly raise issues surrounding training qualifications and provision with the Government. FIESTA’s announcement of the renewal of the Level 2 apprenticeships follows the completion and imminent launch of the level 3 apprenticeship standards in New Furniture Product Developer, Advanced CNC Technician, Bespoke Furniture Maker and Advanced Upholsterer.
Standards and Regulation
New Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy Appointed
Alok Sharma MP was appointed Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on 13 February 2020. Mr Sharma had previously been Secretary of State for International Development. The Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy is responsible for small business policy, product safety, standards and regulation and a range of other policies relevant to the furniture industry. The Department has also been leading on the furniture industry’s Brexit preparations.
Paul Scully MP was also appointed in the wider ministerial reshuffle to the role of Minister for Small Business, Consumers and Labour Markets. This is the role formerly held by Kelly Tolhurst MP, who the BFC had liaised with on the issue of flammability regulations. Mr Scully now takes on responsibility in BEIS for a series of policies that effect most of the furniture industry.
Revision of UK Furniture Fire Safety Regulations
BFC Members, FIRA and NBF, have been participating in the revision process for the Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations. The revision process is being conducted by the Office of Product Safety and Standards (OPSS), part of BEIS.
The process of revision is expected to include meetings and workshops that FIRA and NBF will continue to attend. Both will also continue to provide their membership with meeting reports and presentation slides.
Environment and Circular Economy
George Eustice MP appointed Environment Secretary
On 13 February 2020, George Eustice MP was appointed Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (DEFRA). In this role, Mr Eustice will lead on the Government’s policy agenda on chemical regulation and the circular economy.
Mr Eustice has previously served as the Minister responsible for farming in DEFRA. The BFC is writing to Mr Eustice to highlight issues of relevance to the furniture industry.
NBF collaboration with Zero Waste Scotland
The National Bed Federation (NBF) and Zero Waste Scotland are working together on a three-year research project to increase mattress recycling and encourage more sustainable design which was announced in December 2019.
The partnership will see NBF and Zero Waste Scotland design a proposed Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) scheme for mattresses in Scotland, under which manufacturers and retailers are responsible for the stewardship of their product in a way that discourages wasteful disposal.
Such schemes aim to encourage producers to design products that last longer, are easy to repair, and are recyclable when they reach the end of their usable life.
All-Party Parliamentary Furniture Industry Group (APPFIG)
Inaugural Meeting of the APPFIG
At a General Election, all All-Party Parliamentary Groups (APPGs) are dissolved and are required to be reformed in the new Parliament. The All-Party Parliamentary Furniture Industry Group held its inaugural meeting on 27 January 2020 and elected Mike Wood MP as its new Chair. Mike has served as a Vice Chair of the APPFIG since 2016 and is keen to be an active champion for the industry.
The APPFIG also elected a new Vice Chair, Mark Eastwood MP, who represents the constituency of Dewsbury. Mark has worked in the furniture industry for a number of years prior to his election in the 2019 General Election. He took the opportunity at the meeting to introduce himself to the APPFIG and state his keenness to support the work of the Group.
The BFC members present briefed the Parliamentarians on a range of issues facing the industry at the start of a new decade. This included skills, education, trade, standards, regulation and the environment.