Top eco groups unite to call on Rishi Sunak to agree Daily Express green VAT cut demand

Chancellor Rishi Sunak has been urged to kick-start the UK's green recovery by giving the fight against climate change a tax break.

Leading eco groups have written an open letter to Daily Express Editor Gary Jones backing our Green Britain Needs You campaign. WWF, CPRE, the Wildlife Trusts, Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth supported our pre-Budget call for Zero for Zero – zero VAT on products with zero or near-zero emissions.

They concluded: “Now is the moment for the Chancellor to make it affordable for all UK citizens to take action in support of a climate-safe and greener world.” And in a separate letter to the Government most of these groups urged ministers to set a target to treble solar energy in the UK by 2030. This renewable could then meet up to 15 percent of electricity demand.

Currently the tax system discriminates against going green. Solar panels, for instance, can carry 20 percent VAT whereas burning coal at home is subject to just five percent.

New electric cars also have the same levy as petrol and diesel vehicles. And refurbishing or insulating an old house means 20 percent VAT whereas new-builds are exempt.

In the letter to Mr Jones, the groups wrote: “Ahead of the Budget next week, we are writing to support your ‘Green Britain Needs You’ campaign and call on the Chancellor to scrap VAT on low- and zero-carbon products and services.”