NEVER SEE FOR WINDOWS

32YEARS OF SASH WINDOW EXPERIENCE –AND WE’RE READY FOR ANOTHER

The likelihood of the sector being able to do so is slim to none in my opinion. For as long as I have been in this sector trade bodies have never been able to collectively work on a common position on anything to my knowledge. I am happy to be proved wrong on that one but I cannot think of an instance where this has happened. The same can be said for the largest cliques of companies within the sector.

For our sector’s request for lower VAT to be taken seriously, our entire sector would have to agree on the need to implement more qualifications across the board, and for those qualifications to be regularly updated via training courses, as is done in other practical trades. This would likely also come with tighter regulations to try to ensure better standards of work done in people’s homes and commercial buildings. These are the conditions that have been set in other sectors and the result is that they are seen in a more professional light, so carry more favour with the Government.

I think we all know that the chances of the above happening aren’t even close. We couldn’t agree on something as simple as trickle vents.

So if we really want to strengthen our argument to lower the VAT on energy-efficient windows and doors we are going to have to set aside ego, personal differences and other motives and triangulate on one position. We have to show the powers that be that we can actually speak as one voice. We then have to demonstrate the willingness to improve qualification and regulation levels.

This will take some time, a process that could take a handful of years. But it is worth doing. New windows and doors can make one of the biggest material differences to the energy performance of a home. With the UK amongst one of the worst countries in Europe for leaky homes, and with around 28m homes in need of retrofitting, it is very much in our interest to work towards this end goal.