The British Furniture Confederation (BFC) has published its second manifesto, in which the industry lobby body calls for Government co-operation and support for the furniture and furnishings sector on training, exports, standards and regulations and the environment.
The manifesto has been sent to ministers across Government, as well as shadow ministers and key members of the All Party Parliamentary Furniture Industry Group, with clear calls for action to bolster the furniture, furnishings and bed industry.
It includes: clarity on Brexit negotiations; enhanced long-term export support; increased support for training to resolve the growing skills gap; the maintenance and policing of safety standards and regulations; and engagement with, and support for, moving towards a more circular economy.
“It has been encouraging to see the Government’s renewed focus on industry, and we welcomed the publication of the Industrial Strategy in November, which can only have a positive impact,” says BFC chairman, Jonathan Hindle.
“However, it did not fully address our concerns about the skills gap, export support or indeed support in general for what is seen as a more traditional manufacturing sector. Hence the publication of this, our second manifesto, and a very clear message to Government about the value of our industry and the ways in which Government can specifically help it to continue to prosper and contribute to the economy and culture of the UK.”
Download the manifesto here.
