In the wake of one of the most unpredictable election results in recent years, the Builders Merchants Federation wants to see the new government focus on two major issues: building more homes and developing proper industrial policy. This will be a way promote economic growth across the UK.

John Newcomb, Managing Director of the BMF said: “There remains a high degree of uncertainty regarding the new government’s priorities. It now appears that the Queen’s Speech will be delayed by several days so it could be well into next week before matters become clearer. The priorities have to include building homes, supporting businesses, creating jobs and raising productivity, and the fact that two key ministers are remaining in place is a positive sign.

“We believe that the Housing White Paper must now be progressed as it contains many of the solutions to the ‘broken housing market’. We want to see strong political determination behind concerted action to simplify and speed up planning approvals to increase housing completions.

“In agreeing and adopting the Industrial Strategy, the BMF favours a strategy that showcases the construction industry, based on a clearly-defined, well-articulated mission to give it purpose, drive and direction. A resilient, functioning and enduring supply chain must be a core component if the Strategy is to succeed.”

The BMF has welcomed both the re-appointment of Greg Clark MP as the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy with responsibility for the building materials’ supply chain, and the re-appointment of Sajid Javid as Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government.