The RIBA's campaign to persuade the Government to lower VAT on home repair and refurbishment has turned up the heat, following the decision in March 2009 by EU Finance Ministers that member states be allowed to reduce VAT to 5% on particular goods and services, including the domestic building repair and refurbishment sector.

The UK government must now decide whether or not to make the change - and the RIBA is lobbying to persuade the Chancellor to do so. 

We believe that if the Government agreed to lower VAT on home maintenance and repair it would boost the UK economy and create employment. It would increase commissions for architects by stimulating demand, would help the UK reach its challenging carbon targets through reducing the cost of retro-fitting energy efficiency measures, reducing fuel poverty,. and reduce the amount of building work that takes place outside the formal sector. 

You can find out more at the Cut the VAT coalition website| (of which the RIBA is a member.)

We need your help to put the pressure on!

 

You can find your MP by going here |and writing to them - sample letter here|.

You can also write to the Chancellor, Alistair Darling – sample letter here|.

 

Please let us know if you if you have written by emailing cutthevat@inst.riba.org|

 

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