IMPACT OF VAT ON THE VOLUNTARY SECTOR

Early day motion 4, tabled 26 November 2003 by Bob Russell (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 53 members.

That this House values the wide range of work and activities undertaken by charities, including those involved in hospice care, care of the elderly and youth and sports organisations; welcomes that statement in the Treasury Cross Cutting Review into the Role of the Voluntary and Community Sector in Service Delivery that the voluntary and community sector organisations have a crucial role to play in the reform of public services and reinvigoration of civic life; notes, however, that irrecoverable value added tax has a massive impact on the ability of charities to achieve their objectives and help to deliver essential services; further notes that the irrecoverable VAT burden on charities is estimated to be at least ú400 million per year and that the increase in National Insurance contributions is estimated to cost charities a further ú50 million per year; and calls on the Government, as a priority, to introduce measures to reduce or remove crippling financial burdens on charities.

Signatures by party: Labour 27, Liberal Democrat 15, DUP 3, Labour/Co-operative 3, Conservative 1, Independent Ulster Unionist 1, Plaid Cymru 1, Scottish National Party 1, UUP 1.