Ulster Unionist Peer, Lord Reg Empey, has urged the Government at Westminster to reduce VAT on the cost of refurbishing older buildings and homes in order to make them more energy efficient and to create jobs.

Lord Empey said;

'During Question Time in the House of Lords today I used the opportunity to highlight that the government had twin objectives - an increase in energy efficiency and the creation of more jobs. It is difficult to think of any other measure that government could take which would achieve these two objectives at once.

By reducing VAT on upgrading older properties, including listed buildings, this will encourage both individuals and businesses to invest in more energy efficient structures which, in addition to providing increased levels of comfort, will in the medium term also save them money. There will be an immediate increase in the amount of building work created, especially if the reduced rate is time limited. Given that Northern Ireland is the only region of the UK where the construction sector is still declining, this measure would be especially welcome here.'

'Following the recent spell of warm weather it is hard to turn our minds to savings on heating, but we all know the cold days will return and as Northern Ireland has a higher proportion of people in fuel poverty than in any other region of the UK it is in our interests to encourage the Chancellor to take up this idea.

I would appeal to all those people and organisations who are working with those in fuel poverty to encourage George Osborne to look seriously at this measure.

It is perverse that we do not charge VAT on new buildings on greenfield sites yet penalise those who have properties on brownfield or already developed sites. As the UK has a very high percentage of older buildings it is especially in our interests to look at this. In the USA they have encouraged the retrofitting of older properties with considerable success and we should learn the lessons from abroad.'