Government launches consultation on increasing uptake of Gift Aid

The Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Stephen Timms MP, and the Minister for the Third Sector, Ed Miliband MP, today met with representatives from the charity sector to launch the Government's consultation on measures to increase the take-up of the Gift Aid tax relief.

The consultation will span the length and breadth of the United Kingdom, gathering views from a diverse and comprehensive range of charities. The Treasury will report on progress later this year.

Stephen Timms said:

"The consultation being launched today re-affirms the Government's commitment to supporting and working in partnership with a vibrant third sector. Take up of Gift Aid currently stands at around a third of donations, delivering support for charities worth £828m per year. We all want to see this improve, and this consultation is the first step towards realising that goal. Today's meeting has raised a number of important issues that will be discussed over the coming months."

Ed Miliband added:

"It is very important to get the views of the charitable sector about how we can strengthen Gift Aid and I hope that a diverse range of charities will take part in the consultation. Reforms over the past ten years have made Gift Aid easier, simpler and open to more donors. But CAF estimates that £700m more could be claimed through Gift Aid by charities with more tax-effective giving. I hope that this consultation will lead to practical changes that will make the system even better so that charities, both small and large, get the full benefit".

Notes to Editors

1. In recognition of the increasingly important role the third sector plays in both society and the economy, the Prime Minister created the Office of the Third Sector (OTS) (Cabinet Office website) in May 2006 to drive forward the Government's role in supporting a thriving third sector, and join up sector-related work across government.
2. The Gift Aid consultation document can be found on the Treasury website. Media enquiries should be addressed to the Treasury Press Office on 020 7270 5238 or the Cabinet Office on 020 7276 0311.
3. Non-media enquiries should be addressed to the Treasury Correspondence and Enquiry Unit on 020 7270 4558, or by e-mail to public.enquiries@hm-treasury.gov.uk
4. This press release and other Treasury publications and information are available on the Treasury website. If you would like Treasury press releases to be sent to you automatically by e-mail you can subscribe to this service from the press release site on the website.