Parliamentary question on ways to increase charitable giving from higher-rate taxpayers
“The UK is the most generous place in Europe and one of the most generous places in the world. In 2016 alone, the British public donated around £10 billion to charitable causes and 73% of people gave money in an average month. This is a level of generosity that deserves to be celebrated. To help build a compassionate country that works for everyone, this Government will make it as easy and compelling as possible for people to give.
“The Government currently offers several schemes to incentivise higher-rate taxpayers to give. Tax relief is offered when donations are made through Gift Aid, when donating land, property, shares, or if gifts are left to charity in a will. Relief is also available for any individual or company who donates cultural artefacts through the Cultural Gift Scheme.
“At the Giving Roundtables held in 2016, the Government heard about opportunities to increase charitable giving by higher-rate taxpayers. Further announcements about those opportunities will follow.
“The £4m Libraries: Opportunities for Everyone innovation fund, managed by Arts Council England on behalf of DCMS, was set up to pilot library service projects that provide benefit disadvantaged people and places in England. These pilots will be tracked and evaluated, with a view to encouraging wider adoption and investment in those which prove most successful.”