Stamp duty reforms would give the much-needed cash kick-start to eco-refurb

Thursday, 22 July 2010 13:15

Stamp duty reforms would give the much-needed cash kick-start to eco-refurb

UK householders keen to improve their homes' woeful energy performance could get a welcome financial leg-up from the Government's proposed reform of the stamp duty regulations. A system of financial incentives to reward homeowners whose homes are more energy efficient has been a key ask of the Great British Refurb campaign since we started last year, and after ramping up the pressure earlier in the summer around this very issue, we're delighted to hear it may now come to fruition.

Stamp duty changes that reward homebuyers who improve the insulation standards of their homes, will not only save them some money on the tax bill, but will also lead ot lower energy bills. Win-win. The changes are also proposing a higher rate of duty for the most energy inefficient properties to assist in driving improvements in the UK’s 26 million energy leaky existing homes, which is vital.

Great British Refurb Campaign Director Simon McWhirter says: “We're delighted that after intensive lobbying from both Kevin McCloud and the rest of the Great British Refurb team, our call for people to get a cash boost for doing the right thing in home energy terms has been heard and looks like being acted on. This has been one of the central pillars of our campaign since the start and will help vastly accelerate the takeup of home energy impriovgements.

"This is a perfect complement to the wider Government's Green Deal package, and it will help thousands of people to push towards the aspirational Superhome status through massive cuts in their homes' carbon emissions."