Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Covid-19: Support for Charity Sector

Tuesday 9 March 2021 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 2 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • The Government have provided a multibillion-pound package of support for Britain's charities, including 750 million dedicated funding that has helped more than 15,000 organisations.
  • The Chancellor committed an additional 90 million at the Budget, building on previous funding to support charities that help victims and their children.
  • Alison Thewliss asked about temporarily increasing the gift aid rate from 20% to 25% and expanding the small donations scheme, but no new tax measures were announced beyond those in the Budget.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Craig Whittaker Con
NHS Economy
Context

The question is prompted by the significant fiscal challenges faced by charities due to the pandemic. It references the need for support to ensure continued operations and services, particularly those that assist in relieving pressure on the NHS.

Question

What fiscal steps he is taking to support the charity sector in response to the covid-19 outbreak?

Answer from Steve Barclay

The Government have provided an unprecedented multibillion-pound package of support for Britain's charities, including £750 million of dedicated funding that has helped more than 15,000 organisations across the country respond to the impacts of covid-19 and relieve the pressure on our NHS.

Answered
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Q2 Craig Whittaker Con
Women & Equalities
Context

The question highlights the increase in domestic abuse cases and calls to national helplines due to the pandemic, prompting a request for specific steps being taken by the government to support relevant charities.

Question

Will my right hon. Friend set out what steps he is taking to support charities in this field so we can ensure that victims and their children can access the support they need?

Answer from Steve Barclay

My right hon. Friend the Chancellor at the Budget last week committed a further £90 million of funding; that, of course, builds on the £125 million announced at the spending review and indeed the earlier £25 million that had also been provided, recognising the 65% increase in calls to the national domestic abuse hotline.

Answered
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Q3 Alison Thewliss SNP
Taxation
Context

The question is prompted by the significant contributions made by charities during the pandemic. It asks if there are plans to incentivise public donations through tax measures.

Question

With the Finance Bill coming up, will the Treasury reward the efforts of these charities and encourage the public to donate by temporarily increasing the rate of gift aid from 20% to 25% and expanding the small donations scheme?

Answer from Steve Barclay

In respect of specific tax measures, obviously they were dealt with by my right hon. Friend the Chancellor in the Budget last week, but I remind the hon. Lady of the £750 million of dedicated funding that has been provided to date in recognition of that important work.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The questioner requested information on increasing gift aid and expanding donation schemes, but the answer focused solely on previous funding announcements without addressing new tax measures or expansion plans.

How: Reminding About Past Funding

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