Pimlico Plumbers has put its weight behind Repairing Britain, which among other things, is calling on the government to lower VAT on property repairs and maintenance to help secure employment in the construction sector.

Repairing Britain is designed to boost the UK economy by stimulating the construction industry and encouraging the public and local authorities to take an interest in the repair and maintenance of homes and community buildings.

A VAT reduction to five per cent would help stimulate the economy and help secure as many as 250,000 of the construction industry jobs under threat from current economic conditions.

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Pimlico Plumbers, led by outspoken founder and entrepreneur, Charlie Mullins, is arguably the most high profile home services business in the UK. In addition to plumbing, the company also provides small maintenance services including carpentry, roofing and building.

Mr Mullins said: "We have worked hard to stave off the effects of the recession, but no business in the property sector is immune. The government needs to listen to the common sense of campaigns like Repairing Britain to see that businesses, who add so much to the economy, are not going quietly into the night, but taking positive action to protect their futures."

Garvis Snook, who is spearheading the campaign, said: "Firms like Pimlico Plumbers are the life-blood of the sector and contribute immensely to the economy. The skills that exist within these companies have the potential to disappear if the industry is not supported."

Rok has also launched Repairing Scotland in the last few weeks. A survey reported in the Guardian this month estimated that half a million homes are lying empty in the UK – enough to put a roof over the heads of a quarter of the families on council house waiting lists.

(CD/NS)