UKIP announces pledge to abolish 20% VAT on listed building repairs.
UKIP is the first political party to
pledgeabolishing the punitive
and discriminatory 20% VAT rate on listed buildings repairs
introduced by George
Osborne in his 2012 Budget, replacing it with a rate of 5%.
The announcement was
made by UKIP Heritage spokesman William Cash: "None
of the parties, other than
UKIP, are committed to abolishing the VAT rate pledge in their
manifestos.
"Abolishing
the 20% VAT rate is essential
for maintaining
Britain’s historic architectural heritage, which is the envy
of the world.
Britain’s historic architectural heritage, which is the envy
of the world.
"Many buildings, from castles to cottages are crumbling
away whilst the Treasury
unfairly rewards developers of new buildings with zero
VAT rates".This 20% VAT discriminates against not
only the heritage tourism economy but also those who
want
to simply improve and repair their homes. Such a VAT
measure is essential to
ensure the preservation of our built heritage - the envy
of the world – and should be
a priorityThere are 374,081 listed buildings in England
and a further 47,000 in Scotland
and 20.592 in Wales. Over 50% of Grade 1 listed buildings
are churches. Although listed buildings are often perceived
as being owned by families with historic houses – often
open to the public- the reality is that listed buildings owners
come from a very diverse
socio-economic groups.
away whilst the Treasury
unfairly rewards developers of new buildings with zero
VAT rates".This 20% VAT discriminates against not
only the heritage tourism economy but also those who
want
to simply improve and repair their homes. Such a VAT
measure is essential to
ensure the preservation of our built heritage - the envy
of the world – and should be
a priorityThere are 374,081 listed buildings in England
and a further 47,000 in Scotland
and 20.592 in Wales. Over 50% of Grade 1 listed buildings
are churches. Although listed buildings are often perceived
as being owned by families with historic houses – often
open to the public- the reality is that listed buildings owners
come from a very diverse
socio-economic groups.
