The ministers face new calls to cancel the value -added tax on all the electronics that have been repaired and renewed, as companies, charitable societies and community groups discuss that this step will help families reduce costs and stop electrical commodities prematurely.
In a letter to the Minister of Environment, Steve Reed, the signatories say that the removal of value -added tax on the repaired electronics should be part of a wider waste reduction, the extension of the products of products and the development of a “truly circular economy”.
Currently, the renewed electronics of companies in the UK are generally subject to the same value -added tax rate as new electrical goods.
Katie Midlock, the UK’s general manager in the back market, said the cost has been the “decisive factor number”, which affects whether consumers choose the renewed electronics on the new.
She said: “If we want to reduce electronic waste by renewing the base, the renewable products should be as much as possible.” “Cutting VAT on re -use of goods and services that have been renewed and repaired would directly benefit consumers by lowering prices, making them irrational for more people to choose sustainable options.”
Dr. Adam Reed, the chief foreign affairs and sustainability officials in Swiz, said one of the largest recycling companies in the country.
“The first barrier is that people do not already go out to the store to buy [electronics any more]He said: “They literally pay a button on the phone and appear a new pile within 24 hours.”
He said, in comparison, he could feel slow, uncertain, or not accessible. “If you can get the same element for half of the price of a good reputation repair system, you will see a huge translation in the request-and this should be good for everyone, whether they are students, low-income families or just people trying to be economical.”
Fiona Azizi, co -manager of the restart project, a charity that enhances the repair and reuse of electronics, said that the policy necessary to catch up with the increasing demand from companies and societies, and welcomes support for measures that can make reform easier.
“We know that, like community reform groups, many companies are interested in repairing more products – and there are some great examples of innovation for widespread repair and reuse.
“But maintaining things under use is often more difficult and more expensive than should. Politics makers can be cautious about the opposition from working, so it is great to see some known brands join the call to ambitious measures that can make reform and reuse it simpler and cheaper for all of us.”
Reform and reuse should be seen as a way to enhance green jobs and skills, says the message. It is estimated that growth in the reform economy can generate 31,000 jobs by 2035, rising to more than 80,000 by 2040.
“They are green jobs, they are good economies, they are great for societies,” said Reed. “I think there are huge potentials in the workforce currently or outside the economic system.
“Just like carpenters and plumber never go out of fashion, people who work in reform and reuse will become very important to the way the economy is going through in the future.”
He added that interest in the sector was already growing, especially among young people. “You look at the colleges that offer these types of practical courses-whether west of London or Manchester-with children between the ages of 18 and 24 and who want to learn the skills that will be applied in the future.”
The message is supported by 25 organizations and companies, including Currys, Back Market, Suez, Retart Project and Repair Cafe Networks all over the UK.
A Treasury spokesman said: “The government is committed to reducing waste, which is why our circular economy business squad will help develop an England strategy with a road map to increase the reuse and recycle of electrical equipment.
“The advisor makes tax policy decisions in financial events [budgets]. We do not comment on speculation about future changes in tax policy. “
