- Target:
- Chancellor of the Exchequer
- Region:
- United Kingdom
- Website:
- www.cutthevat.co.uk
The Issue
The current housing shortage, the impact of our buildings on carbon emission levels, and the on-going problem of rogue traders taking advantage of the public are three different issues with one common thread; all of them are made worse by the 17.5 percent (20 percent from January 2011) rate of VAT charged by the Government on maintenance and home improvement work.
The Proposal
The Cut the VAT Coalition believes that reducing VAT from 17.5 percent to 5 percent for all maintenance and home improvement work would help the Government achieve its target of cutting carbon emissions by 80 percent by 2050. It would also benefit millions of UK homeowners by getting rid of cowboy builders, helping those who cannot afford vital repairs to their homes, bringing our empty properties back into use and protecting the countryside.
The Benefits
The benefits in reducing VAT that will accrue for both society and business are many and varied. Below are ten convincing reasons to get VAT reduced.
1. Reap economic benefits
2. Reduce the number of rogue builders
3. Reduce the number of empty homes
4. Reduce the number of those living in substandard housing
5. Protect the countryside
6. Stop the destruction of decent existing buildings
7. Increase the number of zero-carbon homes
8. Help tackle fuel poverty
9. Help preserve our national heritage
10. Allow disabled people to have essential renovations made to their homes
Dear Chancellor,
CUT VAT NOW FOR A GREENER BRITAIN!
If the Government wants to achieve its aim to cut carbon emissions by 60 percent by 2050 then it needs to tackle the existing building stock that contributes 40 percent of the UK's total carbon emissions.
Cutting the current rate of VAT from 17.5 percent (20 percent from January 2011) to 5 percent for all maintenance and home improvement work made to Britain's homes would, in a simple single act, do more to motivate homeowners to make their homes greener than any other policy measure.
You can further help this campaign by sponsoring it
The Cut the VAT on Home Improvement and maintenance work petition to Chancellor of the Exchequer was written by Albert Orr and is in the category Government at GoPetition.