SIR – West Worcestershire MP Harriett Baldwin yet again nods her head to Government proposals, this time on massive VAT increases, rather than consider their impact on her constituents.

In the article ‘Why should we pay tax on monument repairs?’ (Worcester News, May 17) you reported that the PCC has written to Mrs Baldwin.

Mrs Baldwin was quoted in the article as saying: “The Budget proposes to end the exemption from VAT for alterations to listed buildings, so that if a millionaire adds a swimming pool to a listed building, VAT would be payable”

Surely Mrs Baldwin has matters mixed up?

The millionaires were given massive tax handouts by reducing the 50p income tax rate to 45p.

At the same time her Government introduced the freeze on pensioners’ personal income tax allowances to help pay for the millionaires’ handout by her Conservative chancellor.

Has Mrs Baldwin checked how many thousands of her electorate have the misfortune to live in listed buildings where her Government continues to introduce more expensive restrictions to what and how any repairs or improvements can be made?

Suffice to say her bureaucrats in the local councils have great pleasure in thinking up the most expensive way for any repair or improvement to be carried out.

They even meddle in the detail of door furniture for wooden garden sheds. This is why previous governments have always respected the increased burden that they place on owners of listed buildings and charged no VAT on improvements but always charged it on repairs.

Is Mrs Baldwin’s enthusiasm for promoting this particular tax increase the extra £450 million it will raise for her Conservative Government over the next five years?

This may gain brownie points with the Government but surely not with her constituents.

BRYAN HAINES
Worcester