Federation urges leeway on tax

THE Federation of Master Builders is calling on the Government to reverse its decision to reduce the Stamp Duty threshold for first time buyers from the end of March.

It is also calling on it to introduce the reduced rate of five per cent VAT for all home energy efficiency installations to support the Green Deal.

A spokesman said: “A reduced rate of VAT is a logical step that will make energy efficiency measures more affordable and Green Deal packages more attractive. Recent by the FMB suggests this change would come at a relatively small cost to the Treasury and would help to achieve a number of environmental, economic and social policy objectives.”