Plumbase welcomes Defra Minister

Jim Paice MP visited his local branch plumbers merchant Plumbase, as part of a scheme with the Builders Merchants Federation to show how the supply chain is responding to the challenge of sustainability.

Plumbase, part of the Grafton Group, has five “Go Green” showrooms which all feature low- and zero-carbon solutions. Paice visited the Ely showroom, met staff and was shown round the sales counters, warehouse and dedicated bathroom & shower display.

In the “Go Green” showroom, regional director Ian Golden showed the MP – Minister for State at the Department for some of the renewable energy products on the market including solar thermal and heat pumps and

rainwater harvesting systems.

Paice said: “Carbon emissions from housing have risen by more than 5% since 1997, and currently account for 27% of the UK’s carbon footprint. As a nation, we rate the worst in Europe for wasting energy. One of the most urgent challenges in reducing carbon emissions from housing is to improve dramatically the energy efficiency of existing housing For this reason, the Coalition Government has already agreed to implement a full programme of measures – known as the ‘Green Deal'”.

The afternoon was part of the Builders Merchants Federation’s industry & parliamentary programme. Visit organiser and Head of Policy at the BMF, Brett Amphlett, said: “Constituency visits like this bring MPs together with the building materials’ supply chain to gain insight & understanding of each others’ world. We think our industry has a good tale to tell and believe the RMI market – repair, maintenance & improvement – can be the motor to help get out of recession.