§ Mr. Gordon MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport (1) what steps she has taken to press for the establishment of a differentiated rate of VAT for repairs and renovations to listed buildings in the European Commission review of reduced rates of VAT; [30781]
713W(2) what steps she has taken to establish an action plan and timetable to consider the establishment of a differentiated rate of VAT for repairs to listed buildings, in line with paragraph 4.20 of Force for Our Future. [30784]
§ Dr. HowellsEC law already allows a reduced rate of VAT for works to housing but does not permit a reduced rate to other types of building. whether listed or not. However, in response to representations made by the Government, the European Commission has indicated that it will consider a reduced rate of VAT for listed places of worship in their general review of the reduced rates, which is due to take place in 2003. In the meantime the Government have introduced a grant scheme, which will return in grant aid the difference between 5 per cent. and the actual amount spent on eligible repairs and maintenance to listed places of worship. We intend to publish an implementation plan for A Force for Our Future shortly.