Timber trade tells chancellor to cut red tape

Chancellor Gordon Brown, due to make his pre-budget statement this month, needs to get to grips with red tape and regulation which continue to “stifle” business, according to The Timber Trade Federation (TTF).

Mark O’Brien, the TTF’s head of public affairs, said a main grouse from members was the amount of regulatory paperwork eating into business time.

“We would also like to see the chancellor create a greener environmental tax regime which would give tax incentives for using greener construction materials for both new build and through repair programmes,” he added.

Richard Lambert, president of the British Woodworking Federation, believes a VAT reduction on domestic repairs and maintenance would help everybody involved with the construction industry.

He said: “The Urban Taskforce said that 90% of the built environment that we will have in 30 years’ time has already been built. We are not a nation that goes into wholesale demolish and build, so repair, maintenance and improvement is very important to the construction industry.”

Peter Latham, director of James Latham plc, said: “From our point of view the less he does the better. I think in the past there has been a fair increase in the tax burden and no doubt Gordon Brown will be looking for further ways to increase his tax take.”

He thinks the chancellor will say something about taxation on pensions, which will add to monies paid out both individually and by companies.

Meanwhile, the Construction Products Association is urging the chancellor to reduce the fiscal burden on business; see how the tax system can focus more on helping business improve its competitiveness; and support the government’s plans to increase spending in the built environment.

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