RCUK has responded to the HMRC Consultation on 'The withdrawal of the exemption of VAT for business supplies of research between eligible bodies'. In the course of developing the response RCUK has had, and will continue to do so, widespread discussion with organisations such as BIS, HEFCE, TSB, UK Space Agency and HMRC as well as other groups such as The Russell Group, the British Universities Finance Directors Group (BUFDG), Association of Research Managers and Administrators (ARMA) and the Research Organisation Consultation Group (ROCG).
We acknowledge that these proposed changes could have far-reaching consequences for research and will be continuing to work with research organisations to further understand the impact of these. Further to the response, RCUK will be modelling the impact of the withdrawal of the exemption, in both the short and longer terms, and will be exploring a range of mitigating actions. These, when known, will be communicated as widely as possible.
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Further information
Contact:
Alexandra Saxon
Head of Communications
Tel: 01793 444474 or email: Alexandra Saxon
Notes to editors
Research Councils UK (RCUK) is the strategic partnership of the UK's seven Research Councils who annually invest around £3 billion in research. We support excellent research, as judged by peer review, that has an impact on the growth, prosperity and wellbeing of the UK. To maintain the UK’s global research position we offer a diverse range of funding opportunities, foster international collaborations and provide access to the best facilities and infrastructure around the world. We also support the training and career development of researchers and work with them to inspire young people and engage the wider public with research. To maximise the impact of research on economic growth and societal wellbeing we work in partnership with other research funders including the Technology Strategy Board, the UK Higher Education funding bodies, business, government, and charitable organisations. www.rcuk.ac.uk.
The seven UK Research Councils are:
- Arts & Humanities Research Council (AHRC);
- Biotechnology & Biological Sciences Research Council (BBSRC);
- Economic & Social Research Council (ESRC);
- Engineering & Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC);
- Medical Research Council (MRC);
- Natural Environment Research Council (NERC);
- Science & Technology Facilities Council (STFC).