Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the effect of the proposals to increase VAT on solar panels by 20 per cent of the affordability by households of solar technology.

Under EU law the Government is required to make changes to the reduced rate of VAT for the installation of certain energy saving materials.

The changes have been made to comply with European VAT rules while maintaining as much of the relief as possible.

The VAT treatment of the majority of solar panel installations is expected to be unaffected by the changes.