Builders Merchants Journal – BMJ Publishing to Builders Merchants and the UK merchanting industry for more than 95 years
The BMF has circulated to members a letter from The Rt Hon Alok Sharma MP, the Secretary of State for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, personally paying tribute to them for working tirelessly during these challenging times and thanking them for their hugely valued and critical contribution to the resilience of our country.
The BMF is one of the 12 leading construction trade bodies forming the Construction Leadership Council, the taskforce in daily contact with the Department of Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (BEIS) advising on the developing situation that faces the construction sector.
A template letter for delivery drivers to use while continuing to deliver materials to essential customers during the COVID-19 crisis, should they be challenged has also been made available.
BMF CEO John Newcomb said: “Alok Sharma’s letter makes it clear that the Government needs the support of the whole construction industry to build temporary hospital wards, construct the infrastructure that society needs to function and ensure that people have safe and healthy homes to live in.
“But we are also extremely mindful that we are not in a ‘business as usual’ situation. Operations on construction sites and within builders’ merchants and building materials’ manufacturing plants must follow Public Health England guidelines to minimise the risk of transmitting coronavirus and, where people cannot work from home, to provide a safe workplace. The BMF is here to provide support, but our members must make the best decision for their individual business.
“As a member of the CLC we are able to provide our members with the very latest information and advice from government. And, of course, within that forum we are also raising the issues that are causing our members the most concern and finding ways to help overcome them.”
A copy of the letter can be downloaded HERE
