Tuesday 22nd March 2011 – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tomorrow’s Budget must include a targeted cut in VAT for all domestic repair, maintenance and improvement (RM&I) works if the Government is to make the most of the scarce public resources available for generating growth and reducing carbon emissions according the UK’s largest construction association, the Federation of Master Builders (FMB).
Brian Berry, Director of External Affairs at the FMB said:
“The case for a targeted cut is compelling. Independent research shows that a targeted cut in VAT for all domestic RM&I works would create a stimulus effect of £1.4bn and create more than 55,000 jobs this year alone. The comparatively small net loss to the treasury to achieve this effectively represents a 460% return on investment. It is a no brainer”
Berry continued:
“This cut is also essential if the Government is to stand any chance of meeting is target of improving the environmental performance of the UK’s Housing stock. The Government has said it wants to be the greenest in history and is committed to upgrading 26 million homes over the next 20 years. To do this the work will need to be completed at the rate of 1.3m homes per annum; this is around 25,000 per week or nearly 3,600 per day.”
Berry concluded:
“The construction sector is well placed to deliver growth, jobs and the green economy but its crucial SME sector has just entered a fourth year of recession and will lose a further 7,500 jobs as a result of January’s VAT increase alone. A targeted VAT cut is the only way that the country can benefit from what construction has to offer.”
