The Member of Parliament for Mid Sussex, Mims Davies, has supported the Government’s announcement of a £750 million package of support for charities. The Chancellor announced the package of support to ensure charities can continue their vital work during the coronavirus outbreak on the 8th April.
£360 million will be directly allocated to key charities providing key services and supporting vulnerable people during the crisis. This funding will be allocated by Government department and will include up to £200 million to hospices, funding to support St Johns Ambulance, victims’ charities, vulnerable children charities and Citizens Advice to increase the number of staff providing advice during this difficult time.
Commenting Mims Davies said:
“As the former charities Minister I know just how important a role charities play in our local communities across the whole United Kingdom. This support package announced by the Chancellor yesterday will mean a huge amount to so many charities. The £370 million to support small and medium sized charities at the heart of local communities is going to make the world of difference and with the National Lottery Community Fund assisting with the allocation we can all be confident it will go to organisations which are playing a crucial role in our fight against coronavirus – those delivering food, essential medicines and providing financial advice.
“The Government has also committed a minimum of £20 million to match donations made during the BBC’s upcoming ‘Big Night In’ live fundraising appeal. Charities are vital pillars in our communities and I’m proud to of this Government’s initiative to support them during this uncertain time.”
Ends.
Notes to Editors:
Measures which had already been announced to support charities during the pandemic include:
- Deferring their VAT bills, no organisation will pay VAT until the end of June;
- Paying no business rates for their shops until April 2021;
- Supporting staff retention through the Coronavirus Job retention scheme, any charity in the country will be eligible for a grant. That means workers across the UK can keep their jobs and will be paid at least 80% of their salary.