Stephen McPartland MP for Stevenage recently launched a report in Westminster that shows how a government subsidy for biomass is increasing the price of wood used for furniture production.

Stephen commented, “I have been working with the furniture industry as Chair of the Furniture Industry APPG and one of the most pressing concerns is the problem of increasing wood prices and the impact this is having on competitiveness. This report shows how the current woody biomass subsidies are a significant cause of rising wood prices which are damaging British furniture businesses. I look forward to working with the industry and the Government over the coming months to find a way to resolve this ongoing concern.“

The Stevenage-based Furniture Industry Research Association (FIRA)’s Biomass Report suggests that the Renewables Obligation woody biomass subsidy should be reformed as it is damaging to the UK furniture industry. The introduction of biomass subsidies has encouraged power companies to burn wood, distorting the market for wood with prices rising by 55.1% over the past 5 years and so having a significant impact on furniture production costs.

Stephen launched the report in his capacity as Chair of the Furniture Industry All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) and also provided the foreword.The report was commissioned by the FIRA, based in Stevenage, with the support of the British Furniture Confederation (BFC).

FIRA’s Biomass Report is available at http://www.fira.co.uk/document/biomass-government-report.pdf