Mountain of names back tax axe for rescue team

Rochdale MEP Chris Davies has presented a 3,000-name petition to axe the VAT paid by mountain and lowland rescue teams.

Mr Davies is calling for EU governments to be able to exempt the teams from VAT, allowing them to save up to 20 per cent of the cost of buying lifesaving equipment.

The European Commission is currently consulting on changes to VAT law. Mr Davies, who lives in Greenfield, presented the petition and a four-page document to the European Commissioner in charge of taxation, outlining the case for scrapping VAT.

Mr Davies said: “EU law already excludes our lifeboats from having to pay VAT. What’s good enough for those who provide rescues at sea should also be good enough for rescues in our hills. It’s the biggest single anomaly.

“Across the North-West, mountain rescue teams combine volunteer time with charitable donations giving a lifesaving service for climbers, walkers, runners and bikers. They provide a vital public service. Mountain rescue teams in France don’t pay VAT and I think it wrong people who generously give money to support mountain rescue here should see it taxed this way.”

Accepting the petition, EU tax commissioner Algirdas Semeta told Mr Davies he was extending the consultation period until April 25 to give more opportunity for views. Sign Mr Davies’s petition online at: www.chrisdaviesmep.org.uk