THE LATEST NEWS FROM THE BiKBBI

BiKBBI REACTION TO CHANCELLOR SUNAK’S RECENT SPRING STATEMENT

The BiKBBI has welcomed a 5p cut to fuel duty and no VAT on home energy-saving measures for next five years. Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s ‘mini-budget’ speech to the House of Commons outlined targeted action on the cost of living, with particular help for those who are worse off. An increase to the National Insurance threshold resulting in 70% of workers paying less tax, in addition to the fuel duty cut and the incentive to invest in energy-saving in the face of rising energy costs, is good news for everyone.

Institute CEO, Damian Walters comments, “With economic uncertainty remaining unusually high as a result of the ongoing Covid recovery and now Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine pushing up costs, it is encouraging to see measures being adopted to help with the cost of living. There is no doubt that the reduction in fuel duty will be greatly received by our members, most of whom are SMEs and rely on their vehicles to work. That’s assuming that savings will be seen at the pumps and not absorbed by the retailer as some sources are suggesting.”

He added, “The news that VAT on home energy-saving initiatives is also a good thing for our sector, although an announcement by the Office for Budget Responsibility suggesting that real household disposable income is to fall 2.2% per person in the next 12 months, the largest financial-year fall since comparable records began in the 1950s, could be significant for the home improvement sector.”

DAMIAN WALTERS FEATURES ON KBBREVIEW INSTALLATION PODCAST

Hosted by Managing Editor, Andrew Davies, Damian Walters featured on a recent kbbreview podcast that covered installation.

It really is worth a listen as it is a cracking episode all about the future of installation in this industry. The pair discussed massive issues that retailers currently have in finding good fitters and how the problem is not going away any time soon. With no short-term solution, they discussed ways of how these problems could be prevented in the future.

This episode also includes highlights from speakers at that recent BiKBBI conference and it

'It really is worth a listen as it is a cracking episode all about the future of installation in this industry.'

is a don´t miss, because it covers solutions from the top down and therefore affecting us all in the industry. The BiKBBI has welcomed a change in law which is intended to reduce the number of road traffic casualties, but warned its members to get familiar with the new legislation that was introduced on the 25th March 2022, or face unwanted penalties.

DON´T GET CAUGHT OUT!

Commented BiKBBI, CEO, Damian Walters, “It is now illegal to use a mobile phone for any purpose while driving and so we are asking everyone to take note of the changes to keep themselves and all road users safe.”

Previous legislation revolved around calls and texts, but as mobile devices have evolved, the new law covers a much wider use of devices whilst driving. Adam Pipe, Head of Roads Policing in Essex, explains, “Every driver needs to know about this change. The new law is very clear and will mean that whenever a driver holds or uses a mobile while they are driving, they will be breaking the law. It means you can be issued a fixed penalty notice for scrolling for music, videoing or taking photos and not just using a mobile to make or take a phone call.” He added: “Just picking it up could see you break the law. Some drivers feel they can drive safely whilst using a mobile, but distraction creeps in. If you are looking at and concentrating on your mobile’s screen, you are not looking at or concentrating on the road ahead, and that could have serious consequences for all road users.”

Using a mobile in the following ways, but not exclusively, is now illegal: illuminating the screen • checking notifications and looking for the time • accessing the internet • making, receiving, or rejecting a telephone or text or photo • using the camera, video, or sound recording functions.

There is one new exemption where drivers will be able to use a mobile to pay for goods and services while seated in their car and when their vehicle is stationary; this includes paying a car park fee or for food at a drive thru.

Using a phone as a sat-nav will be allowed, but only if it is docked in a cradle.