How much tax relief does it take to change a light bulb

02 April, 2008

The extension of Enhanced Capital Allowances to include electrical systems may be one of the most important changes under the new system, according to property tax and finance specialist Davis Langdon Crosher & James. The company has carried out a modelling exercise on a new office scheme showing stark comparisons between conventional lighting which can be written off against tax at 10% a year and low-energy lighting that qualifies under the Enhanced Capital Allowances scheme for 100% first-year allowances. The savings for the low-energy lighting amount to £174 000 over 10 years. Capital-allowances relief from conventional technology is only £54 711 over the same time frame. David Rees, a partner with DLC&J, says, ‘Although on the surface there may have seemed little to cheer about in the Budget, the change to capital allowances could yet have a significant impact on building specifications and energy performance. If the Chancellor was looking for good news topics, this is one that slipped the net. Added to which, there is still only limited publicity regarding interest-free loans from the Carbon Trust of up to £100 000 towards low-carbon or energy-saving technologies.’

BCIA welcomes tougher commercial building energy standards but calls for greater ambition across the wider sector

The Building Controls Industry Association (BCIA) has welcomed the government’s confirmation that privately rented non-domestic buildings over 1,000 square metres in England and Wales will be expected to achieve a minimum EPC B rating by 2031, describing the move as an important step forward in improving the energy performance of the UK’s commercial building stock.

GOLDBECK commits to three-year schools partnership to inspire Cardiff’s future construction talent

GOLDBECK has launched a new long-term education initiative in Cardiff, committing to support three local primary schools as part of a programme designed to introduce young children to enterprise, careers and the wider world of construction.

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