The National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) has welcomed the Business and Trade Committee's Small Business Strategy report, saying the findings reflect issues repeatedly raised by roofing firms—especially around fair payment, procurement reform, skills and cutting red tape.

The federation urged ministers to turn the strongest proposals into practical changes to support SMEs central to tackling housing, retrofit and economic growth challenges.

On payment practices, NFRC backed the committee's call for the Fair Payment Code to become the minimum expectation for companies with more than 250 employees until fresh legislation is in place. The recommendation drew on testimony from NFRC Member Paul Brain, Managing Director of Ashcroft Services and chair of NFRC's South West committee, who told MPs in July 2025 that voluntary codes have had limited impact because too few major contractors sign up. The committee also urged the Government to speed up late payment reforms and mandate 30‑day terms by the end of this Parliament—an approach NFRC has consistently championed and reinforced during last year's consultation with the Department for Business and Trade.

Paul Brain highlighted that 90‑day payment periods after invoicing are still common in construction, which appears to have influenced the committee's support for wider use of Project Bank Accounts, as already provided for in the Construction Playbook and the Procurement Act 2023. While the report clearly acknowledges the burden of retention payments on specialist contractors, NFRC expressed disappointment that MPs stopped short of recommending abolition—its formal position—though it noted the inquiry covered the broader economy rather than construction alone.

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The committee also recognised evidence that some small construction firms now spend more time on paperwork than on their trade. It called for the administrative load of the tax system to be reduced and for a baseline assessment of SME tax compliance costs—steps NFRC said could deliver meaningful simplification and help contractors focus on delivery.

On careers and skills, MPs reflected member feedback on how construction is presented to young people. Josh Clarke, Director and Contracts Manager at Clarke Roofing Southern Ltd and a member of NFRC's London and Southern Counties Committee, told the committee in September 2025 that roofing often sits "down low" in the hierarchy of jobs promoted in schools, and that pupils selected for mentoring were sometimes considered "not great academically". NFRC strongly welcomed the report's recommendations to embed careers services in primary and secondary schools within Local Skills Improvement Plans, and to ensure the local skills system properly connects with the advice pupils receive at school.

NFRC said member‑led programmes already show the value of earlier engagement with schools, noting that CITB continues to highlight high attrition rates on construction training routes—making sustained outreach more important than ever. Clarke also told MPs his apprentices had to travel from Eastbourne to Leytonstone for training; since then, Clarke Roofing has helped improve provision in the South East, with East Sussex College due to launch a slating and tiling apprenticeship later in 2026.

NFRC further backed the recommendation for Skills England's business plan to include clear SME engagement metrics and detailed regional skills shortage forecasts by industry and area, underpinned by commissioning plans. Trade associations such as NFRC, it said, offer an effective route for policymakers and delivery bodies to reach SMEs at both national and local levels.

Looking ahead, NFRC hopes the committee's conclusions will shape upcoming government reforms and awaited consultations, including on public procurement and new measures to curb late payment practices. Aligning policy with the report's findings would deliver immediate, practical gains for construction SMEs at a pivotal moment for the sector and the wider economy.

The federation also urged ministers to factor in construction‑specific considerations when implementing reforms: any VAT changes must reflect supply‑chain realities, reverse charge VAT and cashflow effects; procurement reform should address how SMEs are treated throughout delivery chains rather than focusing solely on headline spend; and retention reform should go further, with NFRC continuing to call for abolition of retention clauses.

NFRC said it is proud that member evidence helped shape the report and pledged to keep working with Government, Parliament and industry partners so roofing businesses can grow, invest and deliver for the UK. Those wishing to support work on abolishing retentions or advancing roofing careers advice in schools are invited to contact Gray Gibson, Policy Officer.