The Mineral Products Association (MPA) has welcomed the UK Government's publication of the first register of businesses and sites registered for the Aggregates Levy.
The MPA says it is an important improvement because improved transparency of which businesses are registered for and paying the Levy will enable industry, customers and clients to check that aggregates supply is legally compliant.
It adds that to date there has been continuing concern that some suppliers have been evading the Levy and therefore undermining reputable and law abiding aggregates businesses. The MPA says that, while Levy evasion may not a big problem in the context of total UK Aggregates Levy receipts, local and regional markets can be undermined by Levy evasion and it is vital that these markets operate fairly.
The association says that it is also apparent that some suppliers evading the Aggregates Levy are also more likely to be operating to poor health and safety and environmental standards and therefore also undermining the sustainability of supply and the acknowledged improvement in the industry’s environmental performance.
MPA chief executive Nigel Jackson said: “The publication of the register is further and welcome progress in the transparency of aggregates supply. In particular, we would recommend that all customers and clients check that their aggregates supplies are sourced from businesses who are registered for the Aggregates Levy as this is a key aspect of a sustainable supply chain.”
The publication of the register by HMRC and HM Treasury follows a request from the MPA, MPA Northern Ireland and MPA Scotland during the recent Aggregates Levy review.
