The Institute of Historic Building Conservation (IHBC) has joined forces with lead bodies such as the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) to present new and updated research to MPs at a Parliamentary reception co-sponsored by the IHBC on Monday 3 March 2014 at the House of Commons, sponsored by Bill Esterson, Labour MP for Sefton Central.
IHBC Chair Mike Brown said: ‘It’s great to be the professional body leading this important initiative for the ‘Cut the VAT’ campaign. The campaign’s diverse membership reflects the huge impact a simple change in fiscal policy could have on our industry, and well as on our historic and natural environments.’
‘For us, the simple fact is that VAT is too high to be tax-efficient and is a brake on growth and, of course, tax receipts. It also makes many Heritage at Risk and related heritage regeneration projects unviable. But there are wider ramifications too, as the supporters of this VAT initiative demonstrate.’
‘Now, with the apparent failure of the ‘Green Deal’ strategy to prompt capital investment in our built stock, perhaps Government can accept that supporting building maintenance through VAT relief is one of the best ways to keep our older building stock ‘environmentally friendly’, and their residents and owners comfortable.’
‘Hopefully government will realise that a simple, cost-effective relaxation of tax on maintenance and repairs can offer a much wider range of benefits to the treasury, while also supporting carbon reduction, building standards, heritage skills, cheaper heating bills and so on, as research and experience both demonstrate.’
IHBC Policy Secretary David Kincaid said: ‘VAT relief for repairs and maintenance in general is a critical area of political advocacy for us, as represented by our investment in this research and profiling. But do also remember that it’s only one string to our bow.’
‘We are also planning a meeting with the Treasury on these matters, in particular to discuss the full range of tax relief options to help maintain our heritage against the many financial burdens imposed by fiscal strategies geared to support housebuilders over homeowners’!
For the Cut the VAT campaign see: http://www.fmb.org.uk/news-publications/newsroom/campaigns/cut-the-vat/
For one of many case outlines, see: http://www.fmb.org.uk/news-publications/newsroom/campaigns/cut-the-vat/research/
For the IHBC see: www.ihbc.org.uk
For updates on progress please monitor the IHBC’s NewsBlogs at: www.ihbc.org.uk
(email alerts are available to for IHBC members only, contact Joanna at contact@ihbc.org.uk with your membership number)
