Calls for government to support plan to encourage homeowners to boost energy efficiency

A coalition of industry groups, businesses and charities, has written to the chancellor, calling on the UK government to support a long-term, revenue neutral Energy Saving Stamp Duty Incentive.

The Energy Efficiency Infrastructure Group (EEIG) wants the government to support its plan to encourage homeowners to future-proof their homes against high energy bills.

The British Energy Efficiency Federation (BEEF), of which the BBSA is a member, is one of the organisations to sign the letter.

The tax incentive is backed by consumer, retail, builder and business groups representing tens of thousands of businesses, professionals and consumers, and would partly encourage people to make their homes more energy efficient after it had been purchased. Households would be charged a lower level of stamp duty for doing so.

Methods of boosting the energy efficiency of buildings includes the use of solar shading products such as blinds and shutters.

The looming energy price crisis has brought the UK’s dependence on imported gas into focus and the COP26 summit highlighted the need for action to reduce emissions from homes, which have risen over the past six years and now account for 20% of the UK’s carbon emissions.

An Energy Saving Stamp Duty would incentivise the 19 million owner occupier households to insulate their homes and install energy efficient heating systems such as heat pumps.

The EEIG’s proposal for an Energy Saving Stamp Duty can be revenue neutral and allows more public funding to be directed towards those that don’t have the means or access to finance.

EEIG chairman Sarah Kostense-Winterton said: “With so many millions of homes to retrofit, this long-term structural incentive is necessary to engage and prepare the market, with businesses and government working together to create a thriving industry, building a resilient supply chain and boosting energy security.

“Crucially, millions of homeowners will have their energy bills slashed and benefit from warmer, more comfortable homes which use less energy and cost less to run.”

To read more on the benefits of solar shading in both residential and commercial properties, visit the BBSA’s ShadeIT website.