An online petition has been created to encourage the UK Government to refund value added tax paid by mountain rescue teams when purchasing gear and equipment.
Posted by Marc Goodwin, the e-petition states: “Currently Mountain Rescue Charities across England (and possibly Wales & Scotland) have to pay VAT on the expensive equipment which they need to save people’s lives. This VAT should be reimbursed.”
So far more than 2000 signatures have been recorded, but only when 100,000 names are collected will Parliament be forced to hold a debate regarding the issue. The notion of tax-exemption for mountain rescue teams is not a new one, given that similar life-saving voluntary organisations, including the Royal National Lifeboat Institution, are spared from paying VAT. However, despite appealing to ministers and treasury officials, mountain rescue teams continue to pay tax.
The petition will close on January 24 next year.