Call for cladding removal tax break

Firms removing combustible cladding from buildings in the wake of the Grenfell Tower tragedy should receive a VAT exemption for the work, according to Scottish ministers.

Housing Minister Kevin Stewart has written to the Treasury calling for the tax break on work to remove cladding from high-rise buildings. Cladding fuelled the spread of the fire that killed 71 people in the west London block in June last year. Hundreds more buildings with similar set-ups have been identified.