A VAT reduction on home improvements could persuade more people to boost the energy efficiency of their property, one group has suggested.
Residents have to currently pay "through the nose" if they want to improve the sustainability of their home, whereas other people are choosing cheaper alternatives that present poorer quality, a representative from the National Home Improvement Council (NHIC) has stated.
Andrew Leech, director at the NHIC, said: "Cutting VAT would save the consumer money and also it means that the consumer is more likely [than currently] to go to a builder who does charge VAT as opposed to a rogue trader who doesn't charge VAT."
Mr Leech added that the current VAT on home improvements makes people think twice about making their homes more sustainable.
The regulation of home improvements could be made tighter in the future, as the Federation of Master Builders has called on the government to take action regarding the number of builders who accept cash in hand payments for renovation and maintenance work.