The Royal
Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) have launched its General Election
2019 manifesto, calling on the future Government to move past Brexit, and to
overhaul current domestic policies to build a more sustainable country that
future generations can be proud of, and to fulfil aspirations to be
carbon-neutral.
A new approach for
the built and natural environment, calls for any new Government to put the
climate, sustainable construction, placemaking and future-proofed housing
policy at the forefront of the agenda.
It also includes a
clear call to action for the next leading party to take stock of the UK's top
domestic issues and then refocus how the built and natural environment can play
a crucial role in future-proofing the UK's towns, cities and economy.
The manifesto offers
over 35 recommendations focussing on three main topics impacting the built and
natural environment and its professionals: climate change, housing supply and
high street rejuvenation.
Some of the key asks
from the manifesto include:
- Level the stamp duty playing
field - undertaking a full-scale review of stamp duty
- Make business rates fairer,
and easier for small businesses - promoting and supporting a thorough
review of the current business rates system to ensure that legislation
matching the Non-Domestic Rating (Lists) Bill is reintroduced
- Level the playing field
between our high streets and those businesses operating primarily on the
internet. Government should evaluate the current state of play and assess
whether an internet sales tax or similar could be employed to then fund
high street renewal
- VAT for repair should be cut
- cut VAT for repair, maintenance and improvement works in existing
buildings.
Hew Edgar, RICS Head
of UK Government Relations and City Strategy said: "Chartered Surveyors
play a leading role in tackling our most pressing domestic issues in the UK;
and in key areas of the housing crisis, adapting to our changing environment and
mitigating against climate change, and working on our high streets and their
rejuvenation. We are keen to see real change in the way government approaches
these key issues.
"These sectors,
and our professionals who operate within them, are vital to economic
development, helping to support stable and sustainable investment and growth
across the UK.
"We believe the
next government, regardless of configuration, needs to provide a holistic
approach to support the built and natural environments. Failure to address the
issues highlighted within the manifesto in a planned, cohesive way will have a
serious impact on the wider economy, which will exacerbate existing housing and
infrastructure deficit, and hinder any aspirations to be one of the greenest
countries in the world."
