VAT: Building Repairs and Maintenance Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

VAT: Building Repairs and Maintenance

Lord Cormack Excerpts
Wednesday 19th April 2023

(1 year, 6 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Baroness Penn Portrait Baroness Penn (Con)
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My Lords, it is not a tiny measure; it is a measure that has costs in the billions. There may be several different ways to achieve the point that the noble Baroness is making, which is more energy-efficient construction to create new dwellings. That is the point that I was making to the House.

Lord Cormack Portrait Lord Cormack (Con)
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My Lords, the All-Party Arts and Heritage Group, which I helped to found 49 years ago and of which I have the honour to be president, has lobbied consistently on this. There is no single measure that would do more to help conserve our wonderful historic buildings, and our large historic houses in particular, than this move. Will my noble friend please receive a small deputation, which I hope will be accompanied by my noble friend Lord Swire, to talk about this, because the Government’s answers are totally unsatisfactory and frankly wrong?