Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential benefits of VAT relief for renovating vacant commercial premises in town centres such as Hamilton.

The Government is committed to empowering local communities, and recently released £52 million from the Local Growth Fund to support local leaders throughout Scotland to revive local high streets, start-up businesses and create skilled jobs.

VAT is a broad-based tax on consumption, and the 20 per cent standard rate applies to most goods and services.

Outside of a limited number of reliefs aimed at supporting the supply of new homes, the standard rate applies to most construction works. Exceptions to the standard rate are limited and must be balanced against their impact on the public finances.