Refund Tommies tax to support veterans’ charities, says minister
CALLS to refund VAT on money raised for military charities from the sale of Tommy figurines have been backed by the Veterans’ Minister.
Tobias Ellwood wants the Treasury to make sure every penny raised will go to charity.
He told the Treasury: “With estimated sales expected to reach £15million, then divided between six charities, the net beneficiary will actually be the Treasury on £3million, with just £2million going to each charity.”
Mr Ellwood, who served as a captain in the Royal Green Jackets, added: “I hope you agree, given the optics of this and the good causes supported, that there is a strong case for VAT to be exempted.”
So far the Treasury has taken £800,000 in VAT.
The 10in Perspex Tommies from the There But Not There campaign help mark the centenary of the end of the First World War. The campaign has already raised £3million and
BELLS TO RING IN TRIBUTES TO GREAT WAR DEAD
hopes to sell 888,246 Tommies around the world – one for every soldier lost. Following a crusade by the Daily Express, readers have bought nearly £400,000 worth and many councils have installed sixfoot Tommies at £750 each.
Proceeds will be shared among The Royal Foundation, The Commonwealth War Graves Commission, Walking With The Wounded, Combat Stress, Help For Heroes and Project Equinox, a housing PAGEANT supremo Bruno Peek last night prepares a ringing endorsement to the war dead.
Pipers will play, beacons will be lit and church bells will ring at home and abroad on the centenary of the Armistice on November 11. Bruno, 67, spent four years planning the Battle’s Over, which takes its name from When The Battle’s Over, the tune traditionally played on pipes by Scottish regiments. project. Project patron General Lord Dannatt has already urged the Chancellor to make good the failure to pass on money, previously promised from fines on banks, to military charities. That could replace the VAT.
Taxes were refunded to good causes which benefited from the sale of ceramic poppies at the Tower of London in 2014. Full-size Tommies in the There But Not There campaign