000 01395cam a2200265 4500
001 WB4021-08
008 040603n2004 000 0 eng u
035 _a(Sirsi) u126401
245 _aVAT cut to solve homes crisis
260 _c2004
490 _aFederation of Master Builders Press Release
_v 25 May 2004 (1)
520 _aThe Federation of Master Builders (FMB) believes a cut in VAT rates on refurbishment work will solve the UK's housing shortage. The "Barker review of housing supply: securing our future needs" has failed to consider VAT policy as a means of boosting housing supply, according to the FMB. Research by the FMB estimates that over 700 000 homes are currently empty, while up to seven million properties need renovating. The FMB points out that while new homes benefit from zero-rated VAT, property owners are not encouraged to carry out repairs and maintenance because it is charged at the full rate of 17.5%. FMB press release at http://www.fmb.org.uk/press/fmbnews/250504.asp.
590 _aWB
590 _aWB
650 _aVAT
650 _aHOUSING SHORTAGES
650 _aREPAIRS
650 _aBUILT ENVIRONMENT-BUILDING MAINTENANCE AND REFURBISHMENT
650 _aBUILT ENVIRONMENT-BUILDING MAINTENANCE AND REFURBISHMENT
650 _aEMPTY HOUSES
650 _aHOUSE BUILDING
650 _aBARKER REVIEW
690 _aHOUSING
942 _n0
999 _c117465
_d117465