Scots Parliament Backs FMB Call for VAT Cut on Property Repairs

The Federation of Master Builders is calling on Alistair Darling to reduce VAT on materials used for property repair work, a call now thought to have "cross-party support" in the Scottish parliament.

According to the FMB press release:

"Deputy First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon calls on Alistair Darling MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer, in advance of his Budget on 22 April to take 'radical steps' and deliver new housing investment through the 2009 Budget.

"Sturgeon warns that it is no time to tinker at the edges and that immediate action is needed in the shape of at least a £500 million injection and changes to VAT to provide the affordable houses that people in Scotland need and to breathe new life into Scotland's hard-pressed construction industry."

Grahame Barn, Director of FMB Scotland said:

"There is now a universal chorus of cross party support across the UK wanting the Government to cut VAT on repairs and maintenance work to help the construction industry. With the threat of more than 300,000 job losses the UK Government should be listening and take heed in the forthcoming Budget. Any failure to do so will have a detrimental impact on construction jobs and will mark a wasted opportunity to do something positive for Scottish builders"

It will be very interesting to see if Alistair Darling listens. It is easy to support causes that support moves to strengthen UK housing markets, because of the number of people who have a vested interest therein, but in reality there are other sectors of the economy far more important to the government and in need of measures just as drastic.