Tag Archives: VAT

VAT hindering environmental improvements?

Press release from Jayne Curtis over at FMB:

MPs Deliver 10,000 ‘Cut the VAT’ Postcards to 11 Downing Street: Kate Hoey MP (Labour) and Bob Russell MP (Liberal Democrat) have delivered a 10,000 signature strong petition to 11 Downing Street, calling on the Chancellor of the Exchequer to cut VAT from 17.5% to 5% for building repair and maintenance work. The demand to cut VAT comes at a time when the Government is failing to achieve its ambitious target to cut carbon emissions by 80% by 2050; when the number of people living in fuel poverty currently is still rising from the current figure of 4.5 million; and when thousands of consumers are being fleeced by rogue traders offering cash deals to avoid VAT on home improvements.

The MPs were joined by three members of the Cut the VAT Coalition: Brian Berry of the Federation of Master Builders, Julia Goodwin of House Beautiful magazine, and Yvonne Orgill of the Bathroom Manufacturers’ Association. In the week that the one hundredth MP signed the Early Day Motion (EDM 669) calling on the Government to VAT for building repair and maintenance work MPs voiced their concerns.

For more information please visit: www.fmb.org.uk

WWF joins FMB for VAT cut on refurbs

Press release received from the FMB

The Federation of Master Builders (FMB) today welcomed the publication of the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) report, How Low, which looks at how we can achieve optimal carbon savings from the UK’s existing housing stock. The FMB is particularly pleased to see the report calling for a cut in VAT on the refurbishment of existing properties.

Homes are the low haging fruit for carbon reduction

Simon McWhirter, One Planet Future Campaign Manager at WWF-UK, said: “Our homes are the low hanging fruit in terms of achieving the deep cuts we need in carbon emissions but the Government is currently investing inadequate resources in inappropriate places. Its short term vision as to what energy efficiency measures should be applied to our existing stock is leading to significant missed opportunities.”