<p><a><span class="font-colour" style="color: rgb(51, 51, 51);">The industry has been reacting to the chancellor Rishi Sunak’s Spring Statement, which promises a lower tax economy against a backdrop of escalating living costs and the war in Ukraine.</span></a></p> <p>The chancellor’s announcements include reducing the VAT on energy saving materials – including solar panels, heat pumps and roof insulation – from 5% to zero for five years. </p> <p>And the government will launch the second round of the Levelling Up Fund, publishing its refreshed Prospectus which will invite bids from all eligible organisations across the UK.</p> <p>“As the UK moves toward net zero, it is positive to see tax breaks to help consumers install energy efficient technology to reduce their bills and energy usage in the long-term,” said Matthew Pratt, Redrow’s group ceo. “As a responsible housebuilder, we are undertaking a range of research projects and pilots across our business and on our developments in order to build better, more sustainable communities for our home owners and local stakeholders.”</p> <p><span>Mark Booth, co-founder of Hayfield, also applauded the VAT cut to energy efficiency measures. “With the pressing need to address the energy crisis, the announced 0% VAT on energy saving materials, such as solar panels …