As the report by the Industry Task force For Peak Oil and Energy Security has pronounced, within five years The UK faces oil scarcity. But, the sluggish efforts of the Government reveal it is not ready for the prognosis. Our habit patterns need changing. The VAT reduction to 5 percent already available to professional installation; but, excluding nonprofessional installation should be changed. The environmental benefits of the UK government reducing VAT on all insulation work to five percent would benefit all excluded potential beneficiaries.
In this era of budget stress, frugal homeowners are more likely to opt for do it yourself home renovation. Tax reduction would also support investments in the existing housing stock and help to improve the sagging housing market. The Construction Products Association understands this market benefitting factor and has expressed its support for the extension of the reduced VAT rate to do it yourselfers.
One can point out the thermal insulation market has been growing due to favorable regulation and rising energy prices. In 2007, the thermal insulation market in Europe was a 30 billion Euro market. A reduced rate of VAT on thermal insulation would enhance the demand for such products. The possible impact is illustrated by the results of a temporary campaign mimicking VAT exemption, which led to an increase in sales by 120 percent. The reduced rate of VAT, could lead tones of CO2 reduction per year. A study commissioned by the EU commission has stated that a reduced VAT rate for thermal insulation is a potentially effective instrument.
The Construction Products Association has stated that many householders are capable of installing insulation themselves and yet they are paying the full rate of VAT on a product the Government must want to encourage them to buy. It is known that buildings are the largest single energy-using sector, accounting for 40 percent of energy consumption in Europe. Insulation is a highly cost-effective end-useful measure in reducing the emissions of green house gas emissions.
It should be pointed out here a reduced VAT rate on insulation products may not be passed through by installers to their end customer. This has been assumed to be a reason why the use in the UK market has been low. When the householder is the installer this is not a factor; but, the higher VAT rate serves as a discouragement.
The tax revenue increase of a reduced rate in the Isle of Man indicates the economic benefits that may be achieved. There were also improvements in the current stock of housing and a reduction of pressure on development of green field sites. Yet, the UK government has not learned from the example of the Isle of Man. Were the Government to change its policy, it would signal the Government supports the role of consumers doing their part to help the environment this way, as they also help their own checkbook. Such action would encourage sustainable consumption. Installation of insulation reduces the use of heating fuels and the resultant savings are beneficial from the perspectives of both environmental impact and economic gain.
In this era of budget stress, frugal homeowners are more likely to opt for do it yourself home renovation. Tax reduction would also support investments in the existing housing stock and help to improve the sagging housing market. The Construction Products Association understands this market benefitting factor and has expressed its support for the extension of the reduced VAT rate to do it yourselfers.
One can point out the thermal insulation market has been growing due to favorable regulation and rising energy prices. In 2007, the thermal insulation market in Europe was a 30 billion Euro market. A reduced rate of VAT on thermal insulation would enhance the demand for such products. The possible impact is illustrated by the results of a temporary campaign mimicking VAT exemption, which led to an increase in sales by 120 percent. The reduced rate of VAT, could lead tones of CO2 reduction per year. A study commissioned by the EU commission has stated that a reduced VAT rate for thermal insulation is a potentially effective instrument.
The Construction Products Association has stated that many householders are capable of installing insulation themselves and yet they are paying the full rate of VAT on a product the Government must want to encourage them to buy. It is known that buildings are the largest single energy-using sector, accounting for 40 percent of energy consumption in Europe. Insulation is a highly cost-effective end-useful measure in reducing the emissions of green house gas emissions.
It should be pointed out here a reduced VAT rate on insulation products may not be passed through by installers to their end customer. This has been assumed to be a reason why the use in the UK market has been low. When the householder is the installer this is not a factor; but, the higher VAT rate serves as a discouragement.
The tax revenue increase of a reduced rate in the Isle of Man indicates the economic benefits that may be achieved. There were also improvements in the current stock of housing and a reduction of pressure on development of green field sites. Yet, the UK government has not learned from the example of the Isle of Man. Were the Government to change its policy, it would signal the Government supports the role of consumers doing their part to help the environment this way, as they also help their own checkbook. Such action would encourage sustainable consumption. Installation of insulation reduces the use of heating fuels and the resultant savings are beneficial from the perspectives of both environmental impact and economic gain.
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