Builders Merchants Journal – BMJ Publishing to Builders Merchants and the UK merchanting industry for more than 95 years
Builders merchant organisation the Builders Merchants’ Federation is warning that enforcing an EU Directive may scupper the Green Deal.
The European Commission has told the Government that charging a reduced VAT rate of 5% on the supply and installation of energy-saving materials is illegal, and if the Government does not change British law within two months, the Commission may refer the matter to the European Court of Justice.
BMF Policy Manager, Brett Amphlett says: “At a time when the BMF has been urging the Coalition Government to extend the 5% VAT rate to all Green Deal projects, the European Commission’s move could be disastrous. Any increase in the cost of materials will affect the Golden Rule calculation.
“The ruling will have major implications for the Green Deal if the Government is forced to increase VAT on insulation, central heating and hot water system controls, heat pumps and solar pv and thermal panels to the 20% standard rate.”
The BMF has long held the view that it is wrong to apply 5% VAT on energy consumption but 20% VAT for energy conservation. It believes the 5% rate should apply to both.
Amphlett says that the worry is that with Parliament due to break for the Summer Recess next week, the VAT change demanded by Brussels may go through on the nod.
“We wrote to Treasury Ministers in March outlining the compelling case to review current VAT rules and rates. Existing arrangements are complex, confusing and do not favour green improvements. We reckon most SME builders do not know how these apply at present – and it is unlikely their customers do either. But these are the very same people the Government wants to adopt the Green Deal when it comes into force in 80 days’ time.
“Sadly it seems that bishops and bakers have the clout to force the Government to concede on its VAT plans for alterations to churches and historic buildings, and sales of hot pasties and static caravans.
“Yet the building trade faces the prospect of the Chancellor removing a lower rate that already exists for some energy-saving measures just before the introduction of a flagship policy to improve the energy-efficiency of our homes and workplaces. How crazy is that?”
