that was last year.
This year Each MR / CR team is getting about ?2k from the government. This was not a VAT rebate and stated as such.
Personally i think the campaign for government cash for MR has always been affected by two things
1) in an attempt to prove that devolution is helping the Scots, Scottish MR teams get some funding
2) for some historical Quirk, Lifeboats don't pay VAT
As it is MR teams can already claim VAT exemption on
"
telecommunications equipment,aural equipment,visual equipment,light enhancing equipment,heat detecting equipment ... for the purpose of rescue or first aid services undertaken by this charity"
I look at this issue from the privillaged position of being in a team thats quite well off and can afford it, but wonder
1) about slippery slopes (if RNLI, why not MR, if MR why not Air amb? if air amb why not ALSAR, RNIB, RSPCA etc etc) - this could be a huge loss of revenue for the Govt that would need to be plugged by an increase in everyone else's taxes.
2) given the consequences, it might be better to remove the exemption for the RNLI and then everyone would be back on a level playing field. This would not be popular with the RNLI