A couple of months ago I sent an email to our local MP, Ed Balls, to express my concern about the lack of fairness when it comes to energy efficient windows and their inclusion in the Green Deal.
As many of you know, many home improvement measures included in the Green Deal are subject to a 5% VAT rate. However, it seems that windows seems to be the only measure that is still lumbered with the high 20% VAT rate. In my letter I asked him if anything could be done and is pressure would be put on the relevant people involved to make sure that windows were given the best chance possible of receiving the lower VAT rate. This was his letter to me in response:
Thank you for contacting me recently concerning VAT rates and the Green Deal.
Improving energy efficiency in our country is an important priority and we need to make sure the Coalition Government’s Green Deal works for small businesses in this area, amongst other groups.
I am sympathetic to the issues you have raised. Indeed as part of Labour’s five point plan for jobs we have proposed a one year cut in VAT to 5% on home improvements, repairs and maintenance, to help homeowners and small businesses such as yours. I can assure you that I will continue to press the Coalition Government on this issue in order to protect small businesses.
I will continue to follow this closely and bear in mind the views you have raised. However, please contact me if you would like to meet to discuss this in more detail.
Thank you once again for writing to me and for sharing your views. If I can be of further assistance on this or any other issues, please do not hesitate to contact me in me constituency office.
Best wishes
Ed Balls
MP for Morley and Outwood
The one year cut in VAT plan sounds good to me. Though I doubt this is something that the Government is going to listen to. Unfortunately, a few days ago, I received an email from one of our industry friends who had also contacted their MP about the same issue and got a rather disappointing response. To save this post being too long, click on the PDF link to see the response: Green Deal
So, despite our efforts and our nagging of our local MP’s, it looks like there may be too much resistance for windows to be given the lower VAT rate. So, another reason why it is going to be hard work for windows to do well in the scheme.
PS: should I meet Mr Balls to discuss the matter further?
It’s funny how labour got us into this mess and are now coming up with all these schemes with no idea on how it’s going to be paid for, also its a shame that they didn’t implement these ideas during there last few months of being in power rather than there scorched earth approach of spending as much money as possible to cause havok for the next government.
Yes meet ed balls and kick him square in the balls and say thanks for putting the businesses of the uk in this position to begin with.
What can labour do in opposition,nothing!! . Its obvious any government when pressed for cash eco goes out of the window just look at solar feed in tariffs.
Ed Balls might be more interested in sorting out problems with a few machine marks in fascia s than actually doing anything constructive.
Still at least you have the nice House of Commons letterhead.I wonder if he knows he replied to you?
Dont waste your time meeting him
Well done DGB, a response from parliament! I very much doubt either Liberal Democrats or Conservatives will still be in power in a couple of years time so you may have written to the right person! Meet Ed Balls and speak out on behalf of all the window companies as you do so often!! A years cut in VAT would be a good base to start from and will povide more jobs and training opportunities for young people.
Well done g.b.
I think I would wait until the threat of the third world war starting dissipates.
Then they might be more interested in these problems that manufacturing and service industries are going through.