Nice one, EU meddlers. Not

Who will rid me of this meddlesome priest?

Great. We’ve spent a morning at the NMBS conference learning all about the opportunities offered by the Green Deal only to learn that the proverbial rug is about to be pulled out from under the industry’s feet. Again.

The bloody European Union – and you should read that term with the full force with which it is meant – has stuck its meddling nose into UK businesses once again.

We’re not talking pints of milk or wonky bananas here. But something that will affect every singel builders and plumbers merchant in the land.

Bill Bolsover at the CPA has long railed against the anomaly that we are charged 5% VAT on household energy and on certain energy-saving products like insulation and heating controls, but 20% on the work required to fit them. Well, Bill, it seems the EU has listened. Except not in the way you wanted it to.

According to Business Green, the Treasury has hinted it could fight back against an EU ruling which is demanding the UK scraps a law allowing reduced VAT rate for “energy-saving materials”, including insulation on walls, floors and lofts.

The Commission has given the UK two months to reinstate the normal rate of VAT and warned that if it fails to do so, the case could be referred to the European Court of Justice.

This isn’t the first time I’ve come over all UKIP-y in this blog, but really, when the Government is doing all it can to get us as a nation to reduce our energy consumption, we do not need the EU sticking its nose in.

For once, if that nice Mr Osborne and his pals at the Treasury decides to fight this then I’m right behind them.