Ecclesiastical urges government to reduce VAT on repairs and approved alterations to listed buildings

Ahead of the Autumn Budget, specialist insurer Ecclesiastical is urging the government to reduce VAT on repairs and approved alterations to listed buildings.

Ecclesiastical is supporting organisations such as the Heritage Alliance and the Listed Property Owners’ Club, which are calling for VAT to be reduced to 5% on repairs and approved alterations to listed buildings to help owners protect such an important part of the nation’s heritage.

Faith Kitchen, Heritage Director at Ecclesiastical said: “Ecclesiastical is the UK’s leading insurer of Grade I listed properties and with over 130 years’ experience we are passionate about protecting the country’s historic and iconic buildings and structures. Reducing VAT on repairs and approved alterations to listed buildings is vital to help organisations and owners of listed properties protect such an important part of the nation’s heritage.”

“Ecclesiastical supports organisations such as the Heritage Alliance and the Listed Property Owners’ Club which have argued the VAT on repairs gives an unfair tax advantage to developers and penalises owners of historic buildings, many of whom are private individuals, who are facing higher repair and maintenance costs.”

“We need to do more to support the custodians of Britain’s heritage properties, and we urge the government to reduce VAT to 5% on repairs and approved alterations to listed buildings.”

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