Ed Miliband welcomes Budget boost for Gift Aid
12 March 2008
Ed Miliband, Minister for the Cabinet Office, said
"Our continuing drive to create a fairer society lies at the heart
of the 2008 Budget - a society in which poverty is reduced, communities
can thrive, and individuals are able to use their talents to best effect.
This Budget sees a thriving third sector firmly at the top of the
Government's agenda, including a number of specific announcements
that will directly benefit the many thousands of charities, voluntary
groups and social enterprises in the country.
Today's announcements on Gift Aid seek to build on the success of
recent years in increasing the amount of money charities receive through
Gift Aid, from £506m to £830m since 2002-03.
As well as a range of measures to simplify the Gift Aid scheme, the
Government is providing three years of special financial support to help
the sector following changes to income tax. In the years ahead, we will
continue to work with the sector to seek to further improve the way Gift
Aid can support the sector.
The Government has listened to the sector and in a difficult fiscal
climate, has found an extra £300m over three years to support charities.
I know this will be money that will make our society fairer and more
just.
As well as Gift Aid, today's announcements include a reaffirmation of
our commitment to make three-year funding the norm for third sector
organisations delivering public services, and a recognition of the
important role social enterprises can play in the Government's
approach to enterprise."
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