UKC

Not another petition you all say.... but here's something that UKC could really put all their weight and support behind.

Chris Davies MEP is working with Tim Farron MP to try and persuade the EU and the Government to exempt Mountain Rescue services from VAT. The work our volunteer Mountain Rescue Teams do should be supported by the Government. Exempting Mountain Rescue from VAT would make sure that the donations given by the public all go towards preserving and enhancing this life saving service.

http://www.chrisdaviesmep.org.uk/mountain_rescue

In reply to John Roberts (JR): Done

In reply to John Roberts (JR): Is it not already the case? See paragraph 3.4 here
http://customs.hmrc.gov.uk/channelsPortalWebApp/channelsPortalWebApp.portal...

If they have to pay VAT there is something wrong, or I miss something (probably both).

In reply to John Roberts (JR):

Done, and posted on Facebook.

In reply to John Roberts (JR):

What do Mountain Rescue currently pay VAT on?

In reply to hokkyokusei:

We've been here before, haven't we?

But like a rebel army nothing can stop a popular campaign.

In reply to drolex:

So if I read this right...

Section 2.1: the items purchased must be "qualifying"
Section 4.1: defines "qualifying"
Section 4.8: the relevant amount of "qualifying" for SAR services - it looks quite narrow in scope!

In reply to climbwhenready: Yeah I have signed the petition anyway, don't have the patience to try to understand all the subtleties of this kind of shenanigans. But if anyone has a good knowledge of this matter I would be interested to understand the details.

In reply to drolex:

My understanding in a nutshell:

This was campaigned for in 2011 and exemption on qualifying goods was applied for. Danny Alexander gave a concession of £200k across all Rescue Teams which amounts to around 2.5k per team - which I understand doesn't cover the actual total VAT paid.

The RNLI have been given an exemption at EU level for all their VAT on equipment and fuel, as I understand have the Air Ambulance on their fuel supplies. Therefore the point is that Mountain Rescue teams VAT exemption should be brought in line with similar rescue services.

In reply to John Roberts (JR): Thanks for that!

In reply to John Roberts (JR): so should every service that does good things and counts on volunteers be exempt from VAT?

In reply to John Roberts (JR):

Well that's over 100 in the 90 minutes... Keep that up and there'll have 1000 by bedtime.

In reply to John Roberts (JR): I actually asked this question on Question Time when I was in the audience several years ago...It didnt make the programme and no-one could answer why they were not exempt

In reply to efrance24234:

Yes.

In reply to John Roberts (JR):
Stop quibbling folks. MRTs save the government millions evey year by providing a volunteer service that would otherwise have to be provided atpublic expense. The least the govt can do is stop charging the volunteers for the priviledge of saving our lives.

In reply to John Roberts (JR): Thanks for the heads up John. Signed.

In reply to danm:

No problem.

In reply to John Roberts (JR): I'm not against MR being exempt VAT. But it does raise the question of who else should be exempt. Should ambulance crew be exempt VAT for some of the items they purchase? Should the Police? The Armed Forces? I am all for expemting VAT for MR, but it isn't in isolation.

In reply to nickinscottishmountains: Note that in the case of public bodies, this VAT is payed by the taxpayer in the end, so I guess it doesn't really affect their finances

In reply to drolex: A good point to consider, thanks.

In reply to nickinscottishmountains:

That and most public bodies are exempt.

In reply to Mike Highbury: Once again the consistency across similar bodies is, er, strange

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-17379009

In reply to nickinscottishmountains:

I believe that drinks in military bars (and the Houses of Parliament?) are tax free :P

In reply to John Roberts (JR):

Done and put up on FB

In reply to The Pylon King:

Great!

In reply to John Roberts (JR):

Bump

In reply to John Roberts (JR):

I've just had an email from Chris' office to thank us for all the support from UKC and the traction it's gained so far. Keep it up!

In reply to John Roberts (JR): Its been tried before so hopefully at some point common sense will prevail.
Signed and FB'd.....

In reply to John Roberts (JR):

bump

In reply to John Roberts (JR): Just Signed it, so should everyone else!