A coalition of building organisations is calling upon Chancellor George Osborne to drop a planned increase in VAT on building alterations, reports constructionenquirer.com.

The Campaign to Protect Rural England, the Federation of Master Builders, the Heritage Alliance and fourteen other organisations have all lamented plans to increase VAT on building alterations, as it could pose a threat to the ‘future’ of the UK’s historic buildings.

Refurbishments important to both community and home-owner

Making alterations to buildings – such as converting old farms in homes or installing cladding panels – is important to both the community and the home-owner, which is why the coalition of building organisations is so adamant to get the VAT dropped.

In a letter to the Chancellor, the group outlines that the move is ‘entirely at odds’ with the government’s commitment to promote the re-use of historic buildings to support economic growth.

Strongly opposed to the Government’s decision

Brian Berry, chief executive of the Federation of Master Builders, commented on the letter:

“All of our organisations feel strongly opposed to the Government’s decision to remove the zero rate of VAT on approved alterations to listed building because it makes it so much harder to give them a sustainable future.”

“Sympathetic alterations are often needed to ensure our historic buildings can continue to be of social, cultural and economic value,” he added.

Under EU law, once the zero rate of VAT has been removed it cannot be reinstated.