The Builders Merchants’ Federation (BMF) met with the Scottish National Party to give government ministers and party officials an opportunity to hear about the BMF’s ideas and policies, as well as to discuss the role of merchants and the organisation itself in the building materials’ supply chain.

Graham Bolton, BMF Scottish regional manager outlined the BMF’s regional activity and how membership is growing while Brett Amphlett, BMF policy manager, spoke to MPs and MSPs who represent constituencies in Aberdeenshire, Angus and Edinburgh.

The aim was to learn more about the Scottish Government’s current objectives and discuss some specific policies, such as differences in public funding of vocational training and skills from that which applies in England.

The main meeting was with Stewart Hosie, MP for Dundee East. Only a few hours’ earlier, Mr Hosie was elected deputy leader in succession to Nicola Sturgeon, who took over as leader and first minister from Alex Salmond. Stewart Hosie has met the BMF before, and confirmed the SNP supports the push for a 5 per cent VAT rate on property RMI work.

Graham Bolton said: “I was delighted to have the chance to discuss some of the issues merchants face. We wanted to know the SNP’s thinking and brief them about our supply chain. It was a day well spent.

“I can share the insight we gained about what existing and new BMF members might expect from the SNP in the months prior to, and beyond, the General Election on 7 May.”