The Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF), says it has started 2014 in ‘formidable fashion’ by ‘raising the profile of the federation in the political arena’.
,Nigel Rees, GGF group chief executive, has been interviewed by the PoliticsHome website, discussing many of the key campaigns the GGF is working on including CUT the VAT, the Green Deal and Energy Company Obligation (ECO), the Fire Safety Campaign and the issue of Article 4 Directions and the impact they have on the replacement window industry.
,To read the full interview on the PoliticsHome website visit http://centrallobby.politicshome.com/latestnews/article-detail/newsarticle/vat-cut-will-boost-energy-efficiency/
,Nigel Rees also responded to Iain McKenzie’s article on manufacturing on the PoliticsHome site, which can be viewed here: http://centrallobby.politicshome.com/members/member-press/member-press-details/newsarticle/response-to-iain-mckenzie-mp-article-on-manufacturing/sites/glass-and-glazing-federation/
,The GGF has also agreed to sponsor research to support the ‘CUT the VAT’ campaign for reduced VAT on the labour element of home improvement, repair and maintenance work.
,The GGF attended the UK GBC (Green Building Council) conference ‘Working Towards Green Deal 2.0.’ and asked Greg Barker MP, Minister of State for Energy and Climate Change, if he was concerned about the low uptake of window installation in Green Deal and ECO. The response from Mr Barker was that he would look for ways to make windows more inclusive in the Green Deal and ECO and that he was open to suggestions and ideas to make the Green Deal more advantageous to the window industry.
,For the latest statistics in full, visit https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/green-deal-and-energy-company-obligation-eco-statistics
,With relation to Scotland specifically, the GGF also met with Margaret McCulloch MSP, Deputy of the Cross Party Group on Construction at the Scottish Parliament on 29 January, to discuss its concerns about the Green Deal and ECO, VAT reduction on energy efficient windows, a competent persons scheme for Scotland and fire safety in buildings.
