Green Deal Installations 'Should Get Reduced Vat Rate' - Knauf Insulation UK

Online, February 7, 2012 (Newswire.com) - Minsters have been urged by the Builders' Merchants Federation (BMF) to extend VAT reductions to all projects carried out under the upcoming Green Deal.

The BMF has claimed the present system for working out VAT reductions is disproportionate, as certain areas receive greater discounts than others.

For instance, the installation of low-emissivity glass or double-glazing in a property receives a 20 per cent VAT discount, while for insulation installations there is only a five per cent discount.

As a result, the BMF claimed the present system does not favour green improvements in UK property.

The news follows comments by Andrew Leech, director at the National Home Improvement Council, who recently argued that reducing VAT on energy-efficient home improvements could lead to a great take-up of these installations in the coming years.

Furthermore, he claimed this could help tackle the rash of cowboy builders that give the construction industry a bad name by allowing reputable contractors to compete on price.

Knauf Insulation - impartial advice and sustainable insulation products including Earthwool Glass Mineral Wool, Rock Mineral Wool and Polyfoam XPS, loft insulation, cavity wall insulation, Solid wall insulation

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Knauf Insulation

Knauf Insulation is the UK's leading insulation company. It represents one of the most respected and progressive names in European building products.

Formed in 1946 as Fibreglass Insulation it has been previously known as Pilkington Insulation and Owens Corning before the involvement of Knauf with KnaufAlcopor before finally becoming known as Knauf Insulation.

Knauf Insulation is active in more than 35 countries with 30 manufacturing plants and over 5000 employees across the globe. The company, which is part of the German family-owned Knauf Group, continues its strong and steady operational and financial growth, having achieved a turnover well in excess of € 1 billion in 2010.

Knauf Insulation is the only UK manufacturer of glass mineral wool, rock mineral wool and extruded polystyrene insulation products, giving an unrivalled range for building, H&V, process and appliance insulation, as well as fabrication applications.