Last week a debate was held in Parliament on VAT arrangements on fuel payments for Air Ambulances.

The current arrangements see Air Ambulance Services across the country, including Kent, Surrey & Sussex Air Ambulance, pay VAT on their fuel payments whereas the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) for example, is exempt from VAT payments under an EU Directive. Both are excellent charities that we hold dear, but in the case of Kent’s Air Ambulance which is almost entirely dependent on charitable donations, VAT payments on fuel they use responding to emergencies total between £15,000 and £20,000 per year. This money could go towards continuing and improving the vital services they provide.

The motion I spoke in favour of called on the Government to review the current arrangements and to consider providing grants to Air Ambulance Services to cover the cost of the VAT on their fuel payments.

A copy of my contribution to the debate can be viewed here: http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debate/?id=2012-07-11a.391.0