NFB Urges Action on Frameworks
The National Federation of Builders (NFB) has launched a campaign to investigate the impact of framework agreements on small and medium-sized businesses.
The NFB is concerned that local authorities are implementing frameworks in a way that may put the future of small regional firms, an integral part of local economies, at risk.
To help the Federation understand accurately how individual small and medium-sized firms are being affected, the NFB is calling on members and non-members to sign up to its campaign and complete a questionnaire highlighting all problems encountered.
The survey, which is available at www.builders.org.uk/nfb/consult will run from January until the end of February. The results will be used to lobby central government and public sector purchasing teams during 2007.
Julia Evans, chief executive at the NFB, said: �Frameworks have the potential to be a great delivery mechanism for the construction industry, but anecdotal evidence from our small to medium-sized members is that they�re being implemented in ways which serve neither customer or local economies. The NFB sees it as a key part of its responsibility to investigate all of the issues and ensure appropriate action is taken to help find a solution.
�It�s in everyone�s interests to ensure small and medium-sized builders aren�t forced out of the market. Not only could thousands of local jobs be put in danger, long established supply chains containing valuable knowledge and skills could be lost forever, resulting in a negative impact on the customer.
�If we find that framework agreements aren�t delivering we will be making recommendations to government and calling for appropriate change to be made, this may well include a �mixed economy� resolution involving a balance of traditional tendering and frameworks.�
Nationally, the NFB represents some 2,000 builders and contractors in across England and Wales, with around 60 per cent turning over less than �1 million.
In addition to providing specialist business services including training the Federation lobbies local, national and European government on a range of issues to sustain positive trading conditions for members.
ENDS January 2007
Issued on behalf of the National Federation of Builders by Citypress.
Press information: David Shirt or Heather Gedney Citypress Tel 0161 606 0260.