Sat, 18 Apr 2026 22:34:51 +0100 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/ Lussumo Vanilla 1.0.3 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16933&Focus=287477#Comment_287477 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16933&Focus=287477#Comment_287477 Tue, 16 Feb 2021 16:36:01 +0000 jms452
I'd imagine that the bigger change is actually making new build only zero VAT only if it was to passive standard. In the short term this would create a skills gap but ultimately with notice would create skilled jobs and effectively make all new houses passive..?


The petition reads:
To create a tax incentive to favour retrofit instead of demolition and new build

To 0% rate VAT on refurbishment projects total costs if they substantially reduce CO2e emission of the building; impose a 20% VAT for new build schemes, reduced to 5% if the build meets minimum passive house standard; to 0% rate VAT for all items on a regularly updated list of energy-saving products


https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/573207]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16933&Focus=287479#Comment_287479 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16933&Focus=287479#Comment_287479 Tue, 16 Feb 2021 18:35:35 +0000 LF https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16933&Focus=287482#Comment_287482 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16933&Focus=287482#Comment_287482 Tue, 16 Feb 2021 20:09:26 +0000 djh

I could definitely go for making new build 0% only for (certified) PH, but then I am biased. I'd also support reintroducing the 5% VAT rate for energy-saving products, or even making it 0%.

I see the proposer is well-qualified to speak to construction issues https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Molly_Scott_Cato]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16933&Focus=287486#Comment_287486 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16933&Focus=287486#Comment_287486 Tue, 16 Feb 2021 20:25:59 +0000 HollyBush Also building regs should force all new residential to be passive or near to it.
Would like to see 5% or 0 VAT on "helpful" products - whether insulation, heat pumps etc]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16933&Focus=287490#Comment_287490 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16933&Focus=287490#Comment_287490 Wed, 17 Feb 2021 08:28:08 +0000 jms452 Posted By: djhSounds like a good idea in principle but what does 'substantially reduce CO2e emission of the building' mean exactly? In many cases that are discussed on here, it's viewed as impracticable/unreasonable/affects the aesthetics too much/costs too much to even meet current building regs. Why doesn't it say 'meet EnerPHit' or somesuch since it uses PH to judge new builds? Could I 'substantially reduce the CO2e emission' simply by ripping out a gas boiler, installing a mains-powered electric resistance boiler and sourcing a supply of 'green' electricity? Oh, and building a zero-rated pool at the same timehttps:///newforum/extensions/Vanillacons/smilies/standard/devil.gif" alt="" title="" >

Indeed, ultimately it's a three line petition. If it could get there with scrutiny/refinement I'm signing it - after all the outcome is that it is debated in parliament - rather than put into law as is.

In line of embodied carbon and climate urgency the current financial incentives to rebuild from scratch don't make sense to me.

Arguably it could also be a more public friendly measure than the coalitions 'conservatory tax' with a similar end.]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16933&Focus=287498#Comment_287498 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16933&Focus=287498#Comment_287498 Wed, 17 Feb 2021 11:41:13 +0000 djh Posted By: jms452Indeed, ultimately it's a three line petition. If it could get there with scrutiny/refinement I'm signing it - after all the outcome is that it is debated in parliament - rather than put into law as is.
True. On that basis I've signed it ]]> https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16933&Focus=287540#Comment_287540 https://www.greenbuildingforum.co.uk/newforum/comments.php?DiscussionID=16933&Focus=287540#Comment_287540 Thu, 18 Feb 2021 16:28:22 +0000 fostertom