SBF React to Chancellor's Autumn Statement
Commenting on the UK Treasury’s Autumn Statement, announced today (29th November 2011) by the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Scottish Building Federation Chief Executive Michael Levack said:
“Coinciding with new statistics published today showing the number of new homes built in Scotland fell by 12% between April and June this year compared to the second quarter of 2010, the Chancellor’s autumn statement provides little comfort to construction firms that the economic environment is likely to improve any time soon.
“Last week, the industry set out a clear plan to unlock growth in the UK construction industry. While the Chancellor’s statement sets out interesting plans to boost capital investment in certain areas, there are other important priorities highlighted by the industry which have been ignored – not least our ongoing request for a targeted cut in VAT on home improvements to kick-start job opportunities in the industry and green our built environment.
“Breathing life back into private sector construction must be a top priority as we try to build a sustainable economic recovery. I hope the Scottish Government will take the opportunity – and be given the freedom – to prioritise any additional funding for capital projects released through Barnett consequentials to kick-start projects that are shovel-ready but currently stalled due to a lack of bank finance.”
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