The Minister of State for Housing and Planning, Alok Sharma, will speak at the Builders Merchants Federation's (BMF) Members Day in September.

Mr Sharma, who was appointed to this role in June 2017, is responsible for the government's housing and home ownership policy as well as the planning policy which underpins it. Other important parts of his current portfolio include estates regeneration and regulation of the private rented sector.

Mr Sharma was elected as Conservative MP for Reading West in May 2010. Before taking up his current post, he was Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and has served as a member of the Commons Treasury select committee and the Commons Science and Technology select committee.

John Newcomb, BMF CEO, said: "A great deal of merchant business is driven by housing but I believe this is the first time that a housing minister has addressed BMF Members Day. We are delighted that Alok Sharma is able to join us this year."

BMF Members' Day 2017 will be held at Jurys Inn Hinckley Island Hotel in Leicestershire. The Business Conference and the BMF's black-tie Awards Dinner both take place on 20 September. The BMF’s annual Golf Tournament will be held on the previous day - 19 September - along with other social activities including quad biking and rifle shooting

The BMF has thanked its headline sponsor for Members Day, Encon Insulation, as well as Marsh Industries, Monument Tools and First Event, who sponsor the Awards Dinner and Golf Tournament and Social Activities.

For more information or to book a place at the BMF Members' Day, visit www.bmf.org.uk/events.