Budget: Zero carbon homes exempt from stamp duty

Gordon Brown says the government has been consulting with major banks and building societies to encourage them to create a new market – mortgages for immediate capital investment in energy efficiency which cuts consumption and cuts bills. The government will offer grants of £300-£4,000 to pensioners who install insulation and central heating in their homes; from next month microgeneration grants for homes will increase by 50% to £18m; and until 2012 all new zero carbon homes up to £500,000 will be exempt from stamp duty. Brown is calling for a European-wide decision to reduce the VAT ...