- recent VAT revenue from PPE donated to the NHS and care homes
will be given to charity
- money to support frontline workers affected by Covid-19
- donations made to Care Workers Charity and NHS Charities
Together
The Care Workers Charity and NHS Charities Together will benefit
from the government donation, which is expected to be worth
hundreds of thousands of pounds.
The government introduced a temporary zero rate of VAT on PPE on
1 May to reduce costs for care homes and businesses buying the
essential equipment during the Covid emergency.
The amount to be donated to charity will reflect the VAT
collected on donations made from 1 March until 30 April - the
period between PPE donations starting and when the zero VAT rate
became effective.
Chief Secretary to the Treasury
said:
Frontline health workers are fighting coronavirus day in, day
out – in our hospitals, care homes and communities. Whilst we
will never be able to fully express our gratitude to them, we
want these donations to be a small sign of our appreciation.
From the Treasury and the whole government, we say thank you
for all you are doing.
Health Minister said:
I’m delighted that these donations will be going to such a
worthwhile cause, helping those that selflessly care for
others.
These charities are doing fantastic work, supporting our
amazing NHS and social care staff, who continue to display
incredible determination and resilience as they lead the
struggle against this invisible killer.
VAT is due on assets donated by businesses where they paid and
reclaimed VAT when they originally purchased the goods.
Businesses will have until the end of June to tell HMRC what VAT
they have paid, giving them time to complete their usual accounts
and identify these costs. Affected businesses should
contact ppe@hmrc.gov.uk for
further information.
NHS Charities Together is a membership organisation representing,
supporting and championing NHS Charities. They support the NHS on
a variety of projects.
The Care Workers Charity provides crisis cash grants to care
workers. This includes those working in residential social care,
home care, supported living care and day care.
The donation will be split equally between the two charities.
Both the Care Workers Charity and NHS Charities Together are run
nationwide and people across the UK will be able to benefit.
Ellie Orton, Chief Executive of NHS Charities Together said:
“We’re really pleased to receive this donation and put it towards
supporting NHS staff, volunteers and patients as they deal with
the Covid crisis. NHS charities are working closely with trusts
across the UK to put that support in place.”
Karolina Gerlich, Executive Director of the Care Workers Charity
said:
The Care Workers’ Charity is delighted to accept the donation
from HM Treasury. The charity exists to support care workers,
give them a voice and to advocate for the social care
workforce.
There are about 2 million care workers in the UK, many of whom
exist on a low income. This means that if they are impacted by
a crisis, it is all too easy for them to be plunged into a
financial crisis. The charity supports care workers by offering
grants for everyday living costs and emergencies that enable
individuals and families to maintain a quality of life. This
donation will boost our collaborative efforts with care
workers, key industry stakeholders and policy leaders to reach
a consensus from which the social care sector can become
stronger and more cohesive. Care workers nurture and protect
the most vulnerable people in our society and they deserve to
be recognised and appreciated.
The Department for Health and Social Care will make the donation
of the VAT on the government’s behalf.
