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Chancellor Alistair Darling has squandered a “golden opportunity” to provide concrete help to the construction industry in today’s Budget, Rok Scotland Managing Director Andy Mallice has said.

Rok has been leading a campaign north of the border called ‘Repairing Scotland’ aimed at getting Mr Darling to cut VAT on repair and maintenance work to 5% to safeguard jobs and skills.

Andy Mallice said: “This Budget is a kick in the teeth for the construction industry. The Chancellor has simply closed his ears to the legitimate pleas from tradespeople to reduce the rate of VAT on repair and maintenance work to 5%.

“This cost-neutral move would have sparked extra demand by making work more affordable, creating and securing thousands of jobs and apprenticeships for plumbers, plasterers, joiners and others.

“Regrettably, the Chancellor has chosen to squander this golden opportunity to provide practical assistance to the Scottish building industry, but we will continue, via our Repairing Scotland campaign, to press our case.

People can sign up to Rok’s Repairing Scotland e-petition at http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/repairingbritain/.