Wales sees 15% rise in sales of building materials according to BMF
The Builders merchants Federation, known as the BMF, has reported that Wales saw a 15.4 per cent leap compared to the same month in 2024.
The BMF's quarterly Building Materials Building Index also found Wales was leading the field for the first quarter of 2025 when compared to Q1 last year, with a jump of 5.9 per cent in sales.
Drawn from 88 per cent of builders' merchants sales throughout the country, the BMBI uses point of sale tracking data to make it one of the most reliable measures of sales activity for the sector.
BMF CEO John Newcomb said: 'The building materials sector is critical to the lifeblood of the Welsh economy and reflects the 'mood of the nation' – particularly around home repair, maintenance and improvement."
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
South Wales Argus
3 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
Senedd votes against ban on solar farms on Welsh farmland
Janet Finch-Saunders said hundreds of acres of agricultural land across Wales will otherwise be switched from a focus on food production to electricity generation. The shadow climate secretary accused UK and Welsh ministers of turning the countryside into 'meadows of metal and glass' by approving "huge, controversial' developments Leading a Conservative debate, Ms Finch-Saunders called for a moratorium on all applications to place solar panels on agricultural land. She said: 'Such a pause will enable this parliament to develop a solar strategy for Wales, looking at where we want those panels to be placed and where they are made.' Criticising plans for solar on Anglesey, she told the Senedd: 'I think we're quite united on these monstrosities; these huge schemes are not what are in the interests of Wales.' Plaid Cymru's Luke Fletcher supported the principle but called for a nuanced approach, describing the Conservative motion as 'too blunt" and warning of unfair consequences. He said: 'If an individual farmer wanted to install a modest number of solar panels on their own land, perhaps to power their farm, cut emissions or generate a little extra income, they'd be prevented from doing so. Now, that simply doesn't make sense.' Peter Fox, the Tory council leader-turned-Senedd member, warned of a lack of a national solar strategy to guide investment, regulation and grid integration. He urged the Welsh Government to look at more innovative options, such as the rooftops of public buildings, rather than 'needlessly building over good farmland throughout Wales'. Mr Fox, a farmer, said: 'We cannot simply sell parts of Wales's natural beauty off to the highest bidder, for it to be used simply as an investment.' Rebecca Evans, responding for the Welsh Government, said solar plays an important part in an ambition to host enough green energy to meet electricity consumption by 2035. Ms Evans argued national planning policy already includes a 'clear commitment' to protecting agricultural land when considering applications. Senedd members voted 23-13 against the Tory motion, with 10 abstaining. The Welsh Government's 'delete-all' amendment was also defeated, 24-23.
Western Telegraph
3 hours ago
- Western Telegraph
Wales 'shortchanged' by UK Government, says Plaid Cymru
Heledd Fychan led a debate on June 11 following chancellor Rachel Reeves' announcement on the UK Government's spending review, which sets department budgets. Calling for fairer funding, Plaid Cymru's shadow finance secretary warned that future governments in Wales will always be constrained by the whims of Westminster. Ms Fychan said: 'Wales continues to be shortchanged by Westminster and disproportionately affected by many of the decisions taken. How we are funded is fundamentally flawed and does not meet the needs of our population.' She added: 'I find it frankly insulting that we're supposed to celebrate and be grateful for whatever funding is offered, even when it falls considerably short of what is owed.' 'It's like being owed money and being happy and grateful when you receive only 10% of that money due. You'd say 'Thanks', but you'd also question 'Where's the rest?'' The Plaid Cymru politician called for an economic fairness bill to replace the 'outdated' Barnett formula, the mechanism used to allocate additional funding to Wales. She called for a wealth tax, greater powers to create new income tax bands – as in Scotland – and an increase to the Welsh Government's borrowing powers. Ms Fychan also urged the UK Government to end the 'cruel' two-child benefit cap and plug a £72m gap in the Welsh budget from costs associated with national insurance. She described an announcement of £445m over 10 years for rail as 'nowhere near enough', with Wales still £4.15bn 'short' of the consequential funding due from the HS2 project. Labour's Joyce Watson said the spending review provides nearly £5bn extra for Wales, with an average of £22.4bn a year allocated to the Welsh Government between 2026/27 and 2028/29. She warned public services took an 'absolute battering' when the Conservatives were in power, saying she had had enough of moaning from opposition benches. Turning her ire towards the Plaid Cymru benches, she told the Senedd: 'If I offered my children a few sweets and they didn't feel it was enough, they might have a tantrum. It sounds a bit like that to me…. And that's your attitude all the time: moan, moan, moan.'
South Wales Argus
5 hours ago
- South Wales Argus
Call to use rail investment to fund Magor Walkway Station
The investment, which forms part of the UK Government's latest spending review, is seen as a pivotal moment for Welsh railways. It is expected to fund significant transport upgrades throughout the country. Catherine Fookes MP, John Griffiths MS, Monmouthshire County Council leader Mary Ann Brocklesby and other local councillors are keen for part of this funding to be channelled towards the development of a station in Magor. Ms Fookes said: "Wales was starved of rail funding under the previous Conservative government and so this investment is long-overdue. "A new train station in Magor and Undy will have a huge positive impact on Monmouthshire. "I'll be doing everything I can to ensure a share of this investment goes towards finally delivering the station." The hope is that a station would deliver greener travel, better transport links and boost the local economy through improved access to jobs and services. Mr Griffiths said: "Magor Walkway Station has overwhelming local support and would bring huge benefits to our communities. "I've worked alongside campaigners for years and this investment gives us the best opportunity yet to make the station a reality." Ms Brocklesby added: "Magor Walkway Station is a project with strong community backing from local councillors, residents, and campaign groups. "I'll continue working with Catherine, John, and all partners to make sure Monmouthshire sees the benefit of this long-overdue rail project.'
