Trefor Thorpe, President of the IHBC and Sir Laurie Magnus, English Heritage (EH) Chair, with England’s Culture Secretary, Maria Miller MP, discussed heritage VAT reliefs and local government conservation capacity at a sector breakfast meeting at Wellington Arch this week.
Trefor Thorpe said: ‘I was delighted to be among those invited along by Sir Laurie to meet the Secretary of State. It was a most generous gesture and also a great opportunity to learn of the extent of common ground between English Heritage, ourselves and the DCMS in such challenging areas as conservation services in local government and targeted VAT relief. Of course we all appreciate that the challenges are huge – the ‘real world’ certainly loomed large in our discussions – but there was also a lot of understanding shared around the table.’
‘The discussions were especially useful as a prelude to the IHBC’s own VAT initiatives, not least the launch in March of updated research into the impact of VAT relief on repairs. We are helping lead on that in partnership with bodies such as the Federation of Master Builders.’
‘Clearly the updated research, and our joint parliamentary reception launching it, constitute a critical ‘position statement’ for the entire construction industry.’
‘Nor is the IHBC forgetting the heritage-specific issues in tax and VAT! Indeed we hope to meet soon with the Treasury, following their re-introduction to our case on heritage VAT reliefs by Vince Cable. With that under progress, and support from government departments, we can highlight again just how unfair the tax regime is to our built heritage and historic places.’
‘There is a real injustice embedded in our tax system, one that runs wholly contrary to the huge benefits the proper care of that heritage offers: beating climate change; as an economic driver underpinning tourism, construction and other business sectors, and encouraging healthy and inclusive communities. Clearly, we urgently need fair taxation, led by the ‘VAT Cut’!’
For more on the importance of existing and traditional buildings in the construction sector see the NewsBlog at: LINK
For more information and links on the updated research and the IHBC’s role in the Cut the VAT campaign see information and links at: LINK
