Chancellor Gordon Brown should use his upcoming pre-budget report to make a commitment to reducing regulation and red tape for business, argues a panels industry boss.
Mark Silverman, managing director of S Silverman & Son (Importers) Ltd, said: “The government made a commitment on winning the election that it would not raise personal taxes. They should make the same commitment to business.”
Mr Silverman also wants to see the abolition of insurance premiums on mandatory insurance and cancellation of the intended extension to stamp duties covering leasehold properties. He called the recent National Insurance increase a “tax on jobs”.
Mark O’Brien, the Timber Trade Federation‘s (TTF) head of public affairs, said the main complaint of TTF members is the general increase in regulation and taxes.
The Construction Products Association has submitted its wish list of proposals to the chancellor prior to the December pre-budget report, including a review of the climate change levy; a reduction in VAT to 5% on repair, maintenance and improvement work; a minimum 35% allowance rate on all capital investment; and a full review of the aggregates tax.
