Worcester's response to the emergency budget

Worcester: Budget was ‘tough but fair’ but where is the RHI?

In response to George Osborne’s ‘tough but fair’ Emergency Budget on 22 June, Neil Schofield, head of sustainable development at Worcester, Bosch Group, commented:

“After a great deal of speculation and trepidation, on the whole we agreed with the tough but fair description that was promised.

“There were some concerns that Osborne’s strategy would cause a double dip, but all in all we don’t feel that this will be the case.

“On the business side, obviously the VAT increase to 20% isn’t going to be welcomed by anyone but generally most predicted this was on the way and will find it an acceptable necessity.

“The fact that it has been delayed until January 2011 is positive, because in the second half of this year we could see consumers make that large purchase sooner rather than later to avoid the increase.

“For some this may mean a new heating system, which will be a boost for the industry.

“All the mentions of green policies were nothing new, we’ve heard it all before in the Queen’s speech and nothing has changed.

“The Green Investment Bank plan sounds like a nice idea, but no one really knows quite what it will be. Secondly, the Green Deal for Households again sounds positive but for both of these initiatives the devil will be in the detail.

“What was missing from the Emergency Budget was any certainty over where things stand with the Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI).

“There was no mention of RHI in the speech or budget document and there has been no mention of it since the coalition took over. So it’s becoming conspicuous by its absence.

“Speculation is now rife but what we need as a business and for the whole industry is certainty, so that we can plan. If it’s in, then great, we can plan for it. If it’s out, we’ll be disappointed but at least we can move forward knowing what steps to take.

“We would urge the new Government to be honest and tell us one way or another, sooner rather than later.”

Date published: 23rd June, 2010

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