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Last updated: 23 November 2008
The Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Stephen Timms MP, and the Minister for the Third Sector, Ed Milliband MP, today met with representatives from the charity sector to launch the Government's consultation on measures to increase the take-up of the Gift Aid tax relief.
The consultation will span the length and breadth of the United Kingdom, gathering views from a diverse and comprehensive range of charities. The Treasury will report on progress later this year.
Stephen Timms said:
“The consultation being launched today reaffirms the Government's commitment to supporting and working in partnership with a vibrant third sector. Take-up of Gift Aid currently stands at around a third of donations, delivering support for charities worth £828m per year. We all want to see this improve, and this consultation is the first step towards realising that goal. Today's meeting has raised a number of important issues that will be discussed over the coming months.”
Ed Milliband added:
“It is very important to get the views of the charitable sector about how we can strengthen Gift Aid and I hope that a diverse range of charities will take part in the consultation. Reforms over the past ten years have made Gift Aid easier, simpler and open to more donors. But the Charities Aid Foundation estimates that £700m more could be claimed through Gift Aid by charities with more tax-effective giving. I hope that this consultation will lead to practical changes that will make the system even better so that charities, both small and large, get the full benefit”.
For further information about the consultation please visit the HMT Charity and Third Sector Finance Unit website[External website]