Pro Installer April 2013 - Issue 01 | Page 2

2 APRIL 2013 PRO INSTALLER PRO NEWS APRIL 2013 ISSUE 01 If you would like to find out more about the PRO Installer... Write to: Office F2, Holme Suite, Oaks Business Park, Oaks Lane, Barnsley, S71 1HT. Tel: 01226 321 450 Fax: 01226 730 825 Email: [email protected] All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronically or mechanically without the consent of Clearview Group Ltd and any of its subsidiaries. Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy, this publication does not accept liability for errors, printing or otherwise appearing in this publication. The views expressed by contributors are not necessarily those of the editor or publisher. www.proinstaller.co.uk Unexcited by “Moderate” Budget The Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, unveiled his Budget 2013 for an “aspiration nation” but the Glass and Glazing Federation was not too impressed with the overall plans for the construction industry, feeling that the Chancellor could have done more to stimulate real growth. Nigel Rees GGF Group Chief Executive commented, “Some of the proposals such as the potential £2000 saving on employers National Insurance contributions will help SMEs employ low paid workers, but what we really wanted to see was a consumer incentive, such as a reduction in VAT on windows. Employers need to get the work first, before they can employ people.” Disappointingly, there were no additional incentives to boost the Green Deal and no announcements on plans designed to stimulate energy efficiency in the commercial or public sectors. However, there was a 12 month exemption from the Climate Change Levy for glass manufacturers starting in 2014, although it is doubtful whether it will have any positive impact on the wider industry in the long term. The Chancellor’s Budget also put forward proposals to rejuvenate the house building sector by incentivising buyers of newbuild homes with a “Help to Buy” programme, that includes an interest free loan scheme for homes up to £600,000. Mr Osborne said, “For newly built housing, government will put up a fifth of the cost, and for anyone who can afford a mortgage but can’t afford a big deposit, our mortgage guarantee will help you buy your own home.” Under the “Help to Buy” plans, a state-backed mortgage guarantee scheme, previously available only on new buil