CFA lobbies to support its members on Construction Leadership Council

Richard Catt, the CFA’s CEO, continues to attend meetings of the Construction Leadership Council. These meetings are normally attended by the Construction Minister Anne-Marie Trevelyan MP, so they can be a great opportunity to lobby hard for members’ interests.
 
Material shortages are the headline issue currently. The CEO of the Builders Merchants Federation has reported that there is currently no bagged cement available at merchants, despite a 30 – 40% increase in demand.

Timber is also in short supply, as are plastics (PE and PP), while raw material shortages and price escalations are being reported for smoothing compounds and flooring adhesive.
 
The Construction leadership Council has an updated statement on this issue, which can be found on the CLC website.
 
Another issue potentially affecting members and the supply of flooring is the short supply of HGV drivers, with the shortfall currently estimated to be between 60,000 and 80,000. One manufacturer who supplies distribution in the construction sector (not flooring), has anecdotally reported that of their 40 drivers, 18 recently left to join a low-cost supermarket chain, such is demand and current market forces.
 
If there are issues that members would like to raise on these group calls with the minister, please contact Richard directly: (richard@cfa.org.uk). Please provide details of your concern and consider what would help to ease your problem.