The VAT Scrap

B&Q is introducing “eco-advisors” in its stores and paying the VAT on energy saving products in a bid to help customers be greener at home.

The DIY retailer is introducing a number of initiatives designed to encourage customers to carry out green home renovations. Environmental advisors will be employed at all its stores from January to give customers tips on easy and affordable ways to make their homes more energy efficient.

B&Q is opening two “eco-shop-in-shop” concepts this year, dedicated to selling environmental products, with more planned for next year.

The retailer plans to reveal a new eco brand in March next year, to help customers identify environmental products more easily.

Euan Sutherland, Chief Executive at Kingfisher UK and B&Q said: “This announcement is all about making it easy and affordable for customers to green up their homes. Sooner or later we are all going to have to make changes to our homes in line with the Government's Climate Change agenda and this may seem daunting for many of us to get our heads around. Whether it's a straight forward loft insulation project or a more complex eco-renovation we will have the products, friendly advice and services our customers will need to eco-vate their homes in the most affordable way.” Mr Sutherland admitted that the Government was unlikely to look favourably on any request to cut VAT, a key revenue-raising tax which is due to increase from 15 per cent to 17.5 per cent on January 1, 2010.

The Government has set targets of a 30% reduction of carbon emissions by 2020 and 80% by 2050.

B&Q has recently signed up to the 10:10 climate change campaign in a pledge to cut its own carbon emissions by 10% during 2010.