GNAAS welcomes news of VAT relief for air ambulance charities

The Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) has today welcomed news of VAT relief for air ambulance charities unveiled in the Autumn Statement. Chancellor George Osborne’s announcement is expected to give air ambulance charities across the UK a VAT saving of up to £10m over the next five years. Details have yet to emerge as to the exact arrangements, but indications are that air ambulance charities will be able to recover their VAT on operational costs. Grahame Pickering, chief executive of GNAAS, said: “Raising the money to keep our helicopters flying is a constant uphill battle so today’s news is potentially a tremendous boost at a time when the demands upon our service are as great as ever. “Any relief will directly benefit residents of our region, but that doesn’t mean we can let up on our fundraising efforts as we need to raise around £5m every year to keep flying.”.

The Great North Air Ambulance Service (GNAAS) has today welcomed news of VAT relief for air
ambulance charities unveiled in the Autumn Statement.

Chancellor George Osborne’s announcement is expected to give air ambulance charities across the UK a VAT saving of up to £10m over the next five years.

Details have yet to emerge as to the exact arrangements, but indications are that air ambulance charities will be able to recover their VAT on operational costs.

Grahame Pickering, chief executive of GNAAS, said: “Raising the money to keep our helicopters flying is a constant uphill battle so today’s news is potentially a tremendous boost at a time when the demands upon our service are as great as ever.

“Any relief will directly benefit residents of our region, but that doesn’t mean we can let up on our fundraising efforts as we need to raise around £5m every year to keep flying.”

by Araminta Hartley

December the 3rd, 2014