APPENDIX
Letter to the Clerk of the Committee from
Mr Alan Onslow, the Insulated Render and Cladding Association
Ltd
OUR COMMENT UPON 2004 BUDGET MEASURES (ON
ENERGY EFFICIENCY)
We request your kind consideration to including,
in your proposed comment upon environmental aspects of the Budget,
the following points:
(a) the insulation industry welcomes the
tax relief granted for low cost insulation measures installed
by private sector landlords: but is concerned that this relief
is not allowable for other energy efficiency measures such as
external wall insulation. It appears unfair that cavity walled
rented accommodation is treated more favourably than solid walled
rented accommodation, where the need (and energy efficiency savings)
are potentially greater.
(b) Little incentive was provided to encourage
householders in general, to insulate. Such encouragement is a
prerequisite for the successful implementation of the Energy White
Paper strategy.
(c) The very small business sector remains
without real incentives for energy efficiency, as does the non-intensive
business sector.
(d) The value of building fabric insulation
measures is obviously not fully recognised by the Treasury (as
detailed in our letter of February 20th to the Economic Secretary—see
Annex A). We request consideration be given to commissioning an
economic study to assess all the benefits offered by the Energy
White Paper strategy: to include carbon and energy savings, the
potential savings in energy infrastructure and security of supply,
the value to the Balance of Payments position and the support
of Sterling, the retained value in improving the condition of
the housing stock, the potential value to the Treasury in revenue
terms (more revenue, less expenditure), and the value in social
terms (see Annex B)
March 2004
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