The All-Party Parliamentary Furniture Industry Group has cemented its strengthened position over the last year. Following the 2010 General Election, work was needed to ensure that the Group was reformed and achieved greater attendance by MPs/Peers compared to the last Parliament.
The Annual General Meeting was successfully held in October and the Group was re-registered with all paperwork completed that complied with the Office for Parliamentary Standards requirements.
Attendance is now vastly better with MPs from all parties attending but extra work is needed to secure greater attendance from Labour MPs/Peers. Overall, the year ends with a strong, active Group that attracts a core number of MPs that are supportive of the Furniture industry. Its chair, Stephen McPartland MP, is very engaged with industry issues and an able chairman.
Key APPG Policy Issues and Developments
Biomass
The issue of biomass subsidies and their impact on the furniture industry was raised at the APPG with Members interested in tackling the subject. It was decided that research would be conducted to give the campaign a stronger position. A report was researched and written, and launched in Parliament on 12th December. Members have suggested writing a Group letter to the relevant Minister as well as seeking a debate in the House of Commons.
Furniture Advisory Board (FAB)
Stephen McPartland MP, APPG Chairman, raised the FAB with Mark Prisk MP, the Minister for Small Business. Mr Prisk responded in support of its creation. There has since been a blockage in the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills which Mr McPartland is investigating. We will review how we can progress at the next APPG Meeting (30th January 2012).
Furniture and Furnishings (Fire) (Safety) Regulations
A meeting with the relevant BIS Minister, Ed Davey MP, was arranged regarding the ongoing review. The Department was supportive of the industry's belief that it is essential to maintain the safety levels described in the regulations. BFC members have since liaised with the Department to maintain our position.
Consumer Codes
A meeting with the relevant BIS Minister, Ed Davey MP, was arranged following a letter from Stephen McPartland MP in his position as Group Chair. The Minister was not aware of delays due to potential changes at the Office of Fair Trading and asked the Department to investigate. There has since been positive engagement between the Furniture Ombudsman and the Department.
UKT&I
A meeting was held with the UKT&I to discuss an issue that arose originally with the BFM. These concerns were raised with the APPG and Steve Baker MP agreed to write to the Minister. A letter was drafted and sent.
Duncan Hames MP, executive officer of the APPG, wrote to the Foreign Office Minister, Jeremy Browne MP, regarding the proposal for embassies to purchase British furniture at cost price after it was raised at the APPG.
Late Payments
A joint letter was signed by nine parliamentarians from the three main political parties raising concerns around late payments. The reply from the Rt Hon Eric Pickles MP did not cover all of our concerns so the matter was again raised with the Group.
Simon Reevell MP tabled three parliamentary questions on the issue and two responses have been received to date. An official at the Department was also contacted to clarify the Government's position on the proposal to repeal section 150(5) of the Local Government Act 1972. He confirmed they still intended to do so but were behind schedule.
Hargreaves Review
The Group, through the Chairman, wrote a letter supportive of ACID's position on the Hargreaves Review to the Minister, Baroness Wilcox.