LONDON: B&Q has launched a petition to get the VAT reduced on green goods. Customers will be encouraged to sign-up to the campaign by posting their support in a giant green piggy bank in store.
The piggy bank first made an appearance at The Prince of Wales' 'A Garden Party to Make a Difference' staged in the gardens of Lancaster House, Clarence House and Marlborough House over the last two weeks. Cardboard versions of the green pig will be in B&Q's largest stores this week and postcards will be sent to MPs.
B&Q believes energy saving should be affordable for all and when surveyed, 95% per cent of its customers agreed that reducing VAT would encourage them to buy energy efficient products.
Euan Sutherland, chief executive of B&Q and parent Kingfisher UK, said: "We are committed to making it easier for our customers to green-up their homes and we believe the Government and the European Commission must do more to help us make energy saving products affordable to all by cutting the VAT to 5%. That's why we're launching this petition which we will present to the Treasury later this year."
Kingfisher has lobbied the government and the European Commission for over five years to reduce the VAT on green goods.
VAT is charged at the reduced rate for some energy saving goods but only when professionally installed.
