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It is now over a year since Lord Rogers presented the recommendations of the Urban Taskforce to the government, yet no one is any the wiser as to when the findings will be presented as a workable, fundable strategy. The Urban White Paper resulting from the taskforce recommendations was due before last Christmas, then during the summer and now maybe in October.
The taskforce's report 'Towards an Urban Renaissance' had more than 100 recommendations, the main ones being:
- Defer corporation tax paid on land until a development is in use
- Allocate state aid to clean up contaminated sites
- Cut VAT on refurbishment
- Remove stamp duty on buildings constructed on brownfield land
- Introduce tax relief on personal insurance for people who live in crime areas
Unacceptable
The most simple and effective way of encouraging urban regeneration would be the scrapping of stamp duty and the reduction of VAT. It really does not make sense to slap 17.5 percent on repair, maintenance and improvement work when trying to encourage the use and renovation of existing homes as an alternative to building more homes on greenfield sites. Furthermore, can the government continue to ignore the fact there are more than two million unfit dwellings in the UK? This number is growing because of the unacceptable cost of repairs. A leaking roof needs repairing? That will cost you an extra 17.5 percent. Your home needs an indoor toilet? There's a surcharge of 17.5 percent for indoor convenience.
Encourage
Reduction of VAT to 5 percent will encourage homeowners and private landlords to repair and upgrade properties, thereby bringing thousands of properties back into use, reducing health problems associated with poor housing and reducing the need to eat up more greenfield land.
It is time for a clear demonstration that urban regeneration is a real government-wide issue and not just a John Prescott initiative. It is time for Gordon Brown to put his money where John Prescott's mouth is.
Further Information
If there is an issue that you would like to raise with the Director General of the Federation of Master Builder, Mr Ian Davis, contact details are given below.
Mr Ian Davis
Director General
Federation of Master Builders
14-15 Great James Street
London
WC1N 3DP
Tel: 020 7242 7583
Fax: 020 7404 0296
E-mail: Ian@fmb.org.uk
First posted: 2 October 2000. Last modified: 2 October 2000.
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Ian Davis
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