The National Federation of Roofing Contractors Limited

An All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) is a group of parliamentarians, from all parties and from both Houses, formed to discuss a subject in which members have a common interest and enthusiasm.

The Groups are not controlled by political parties and only backbench members of both Houses (i.e. those who do not hold a ministerial position) are eligible to join.

All-Party Groups provide a forum in which parliamentarians can discuss issues freely, often in the presence of interested parties. Each Group must have at least 20 members, consisting of 10 from the Government Party (under the current coalition a mixture of 10 from the Conservative and Liberal Democrat parties), a minimum of 6 from the main opposition party, and 4 from other parties or crossbenchers from the House of Lords.

All-Party Groups often attempt to draw attention to certain aspects of public affairs or act as pressure groups to promote some particular cause and can help to keep the Government informed of parliamentary opinion.

APPGs can do this in a variety of ways:

• They can meet with Government Ministers to discuss their concerns; 
• They can put more pressure of the Government by tabling oral and written questions for Ministers to answer;
• They can initiate Adjournment Debates;
• They can organise functions within the Houses of Parliament to raise the profile of their cause with other parliamentarians attracting more support;
• They can organise meetings, share ideas and co-ordinate action with other All-Party Parliamentary Groups.
  

During the 2005-2010 Parliament, meetings were held to discuss payment practices, apprenticeships, microgeneration, rogue traders and the role of TrustMark and health and safety practices.  A number of speakers attended meetings from industry, academic research and partner organisations.  Many Parliamentary Questions were tabled and the Group actively engaged with both Government and Opposition.  At the APPG’s annual lunches, speakers included Angela Smith (then Minister at CLG), Phil Willis (then Chairman of the Innovation, Universities, Science and Skills Select Committee) and Grant Shapps in his capacity as Shadow Housing Minister. 

Since the Group was re-formed after the General Election, a position paper for each year has been drafted to guide the Group’s activities. 

• 2010 –2011 Position Paper - Currently, the APPG is examining the consultation on Feed-In Tariffs and will be responding to that and the Green Deal consultation which is expected before the end of November.
• First Year Review of Activities & Last year's Position Paper can be requested from Anna Wolfe. 

Ministerial Meeting with Greg Barker MP 

On 8th November, the APPG Chairman Rt Hon David Hanson led an APPG delegation to meet with Greg Barker at the Department for Energy and Climate Change to discuss the Green Deal.  The Environment Minister heard Ray Horwood’s concerns about the role of the independent assessor in the Green Deal process and how to ensure properties are properly insulated.  The Minister and his advisers listened carefully to our concerns and we were encouraged by their response.

The Green Deal consultation paper is expected to be published within a matter of days and we will be examining the document very carefully and submitting a full response.  Additionally, we will be taking up the offer from the DECC officials for a further meeting during the consultation period.  

(Right to left) Ray Horwood (Chief Executive), Rt Hon David Hanson MP and contractor member Mike Threadgold (Renocon) meet outside DECC ahead of their meeting with Greg Barker MP. 

In addition to the APPG, NFRC also lobbies parliamentarians and government departments directly. 

• Department of Energy and Climate Change - The Green Deal 

Over the forthcoming months the APPG will be seek to work with the Department of Energy and Climate Change (DECC) in the formulation of the Green Deal. The roofing APPG is keen to advance the importance of DECC recognising actual industry practice and building regulations, when formulating the bill. In particular the APPG is keen to highlight the importance of having relevant and accredited contractors carry out any roofing work which may be prescribed by the Green Deal bill.

• Local Authorities – TrustMark

The APPG echoes NFRC’s assertion that TrustMark is the bona fide standard for roofing contractors, recognised by both industry and the government. In light of this, the APPG is keen to work with NFRC in contacting local authorities in order to raise awareness of the importance of the scheme, and to encourage wider take-up.

• Business Innovation and Skills - Apprenticeships

NFRC is a strong supporter of this Government’s reforms to increase the effectiveness and uptake of apprenticeship programmes, and NFRC remains in dialogue with John Hayes, Minister for Lifelong Learning, Further and Higher Education. NFRC is committed to maintaining this productive dialogue so that government and industry can continue to work to together to get practical solutions, and to ensure that the policy is delivered effectively.

• Parliamentary Monitoring

We are currently making approaches to a number of individual MP’s and peers and inviting them to briefings about the APPG’s work and interests. Furthermore, NFRC is particularly keen to engage with Opposition spokesmen to discuss future policy and manifesto commitments.

• Microgeneration and Renewable Energy

NFRC has held briefing meetings with Huw Irranca-Davies MP, a strong supporter of microgeneration and solar energy, and Alison Seabeck MP in her capacity as Shadow Housing Minister.  Additionally, Ray Horwood will be holding briefing meeting at the end of November with Luciana Berger MP, Shadow Environment Minister to discuss developments regarding the Green Deal.

NFRC’s presence in Scotland is ever-increasing.  Ray Horwood spent a day last month briefing Members of the Scottish Parliament on the Green Deal and the affect it will have on the roofing industry.  NFRC will be keeping all Scottish MSPs informed of the Green Deal progress in Westminster.  Additionally, Ray Horwood attended the Inaugural meeting of the Cross Party Group on Construction and met with Edinburgh City Council to discuss the on-going concerns regarding Statutory Notices. 

• Environmental Audit Committee Inquiry into the Green Economy 

NFRC submitted a response to this inquiry, focusing on the positive impact the Federation believes the Green Deal will have. 

• Joint Energy and Climate Change Select Committee and Environmental Audit Committee Inquiry into Feed-In Tariffs 

In NFRC’s response to this short call for evidence (which closes before the Government’s consultation), the focus was the effect of the Government’s recent FIT’s announcement on small businesses and training.