Edgetech UK, a Quanex Building Products Company, is still working behind the scenes in the campaign to reduce VAT on housing renovation and repair work from 20 per cent to 5 per cent.

Andy Jones, MD of Edgetech UK, first brought the argument to Government in a petition in 2008. It was debated in parliament and included in Hansard, the record of every debate for the House of Commons and the House of Lords. The petition declared that substantial energy savings, and consequential environmental benefits, could be achieved by the use of energy efficiency products and that the Government should therefore reduce VAT on such products.

“Six years on and The Government has reaffirmed its pledge to reduce carbon emissions through buildings. Its targets are to make new homes zero-carbon by 2016, public sector buildings zero-carbon by 2018 and all non-domestic buildings zero-carbon by 2019,” says Andy Jones. “But this pledge excludes refurbishment of existing domestic buildings. It makes no sense considering an estimated 80 per cent of the housing stock that will be around in 2050 has already been built.

Andy has now written to local MP, Rebecca Harris calling on her to urge the Government to reduce VAT to 5 per cent on products and components that will make a significant contribution to achieving Parliament’s commitment to reducing carbon emissions.

“If the government had reduced VAT to 5 per cent back in 2008 rather than introduce The Green Deal, more jobs would have been created and we would be closer to achieving our carbon emission targets,” adds Andy. “It’s great to see the GGF pushing the government to recognise the campaign to reduce VAT too. The window industry enjoys a strong UK manufacturing base which is very active in developing energy saving technology and getting it into people’s homes.

“The Chancellor now has a real opportunity in the budget to implement changes that will not only drive the government’s own green policies but inject growth into the market and create more jobs.”