VAT ON CHARITY TEXT MESSAGE DONATIONS

Early day motion 599, tabled 17 December 2007 by Mark Oaten (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 59 members.

That this House notes with concern that VAT is currently charged on charity donations sent via text message; further notes that text messaging has proven to be one of the fastest growing areas in the communications sector; believes that text donations should receive the same zero rate as cash donations; recognises the significant financial benefits that this may have for the charities sector; further recognises the exceptional example of the Asian Tsunami text appeal which, exempted from VAT, raised over £1 million in three days; and calls upon the Chancellor of the Exchequer to assist charities by abolishing the VAT on text message donations.

Signatures by party: Labour 23, Liberal Democrat 19, Conservative 9, DUP 2, Plaid Cymru 2, Scottish National Party 2, Independent 1, Social Democratic and Labour Party 1.