Survey shows public support for temporary Gift Aid increase
Melanie May | 15 October 2020 | News
Four out of five people who have used Gift Aid on a recent donation support a temporary increase in the tax benefit for charities, according to a CAF survey.
The research by the Charities Aid Foundation (CAF), questioned 1,107 people and revealed that 84% of donors who had used Gift Aid on a donation in the last four weeks or over the previous 12 months supported the change.
The polling by CAF also suggests that Government incentives, such as Gift Aid and match funding, play a role in increasing amounts given to good causes.
A coalition formed back in July including more than 200 UK charities is calling on the Government to temporarily increase the level of Gift Aid that can be claimed to help keep charitable services running during the Covid-19 pandemic and beyond.
The proposed Gift Aid change would mean that a £100 donation from a UK tax payer would increase to £133.33 for the charity once Gift Aid had been claimed. This compares to a current £125. As a result, the Gift Aid claimed on every eligible donation would increase by one-third, up from the current one-quarter, which could bring in an extra £450m. The group has called for the increase to be in place for two years.
A number of MPs are also supporting the campaign, including Bob Blackman, MP for Harrow East; Sarah Champion, MP for Rotherham; and Neale Hanvey, MP for Kirkcaldy and Cowdenbeath.
Daniel Ferrell-Schweppenstedde, Policy Manager at CAF, said:
“Charity donors clearly recognise the value of Gift Aid and support the call for a temporary increase. This change would help charities large and small as they continue to suffer a drop in donations and struggle to cope with the ongoing effects of the coronavirus pandemic. In addition to the financial help already announced, it is clear that donors want Government to consider other ways to support the vital work of charities during this challenging time.”
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About Melanie May
Melanie May is a journalist and copywriter specialising in writing both for and about the charity and marketing services sectors since 2001. She can be reached via thepurplepim.com.