CPA suggestions could boost office refurbishments

Office design news from Morgan Lovell

Published on 17-03-2010

Office refurbishments could benefit from a number of suggestions made ahead of the Budget by the Construction Products Association (CPA).

The industry body has written to chancellor of the Exchequer Alistair Darling, asking him to make sure that UK businesses do not suffer as a result of the Budget speech.

Among its suggestions is the proposal that VAT benefits on energy-saving products should be extended to incorporate a wider range of materials.

Many of these could be useful in office refurbishments for companies moving towards greater sustainability - including liquid source heat pumps, solar shading and more efficient boilers.

"This list must be updated to take account of new products and solutions," adds chief executive Michael Ankers.

Extending VAT benefits to businesses and not just to residential installations could also help achieve another CPA aim, that of making the UK a competitive market on the world stage.

With annual turnover in excess of £40 billion, the health of the construction products sector could also prove to be a significant factor in the recovery of the UK economy from recession.

Posted by Adrian Norman.