Environmental Audit Committee Chairman, Rt Hon Philip Dunne MP, reacts to Rishi Sunak’s Spring Statement

Reacting to Rishi Sunak’s Spring Statement and the measures announced around energy efficiency, Environmental Audit Committee Chairman, Rt Hon Philip Dunne MP, said:

“Removing VAT on energy efficiency measures – as we called for in our Energy Efficiency report – is a significant win for the sector that has been calling for this for a long time. In evidence to our Committee we heard how VAT is the largest obstacle to homeowners making low carbon improvements. Improved installation and retrofitting has the potential to reduce bills while slashing some of the 20% of emissions emanating from UK homes. Heat pumps and solar panels will then help to power our homes in an effective, low carbon way. This is a major vote of confidence in net zero, and I welcome the Chancellor’s announcement today.

“The Chancellor said this would add up to £250 million tax cut to energy efficiency. A homeowner installing rooftop solar panels could save £1,000 on installation and cut their annual energy bills by £300.”