FURY AT TAX ON TOMMIES
Vets charity squeezed
FURIOUS campaigners are demanding the taxman pays back nearly £1million VAT to a soldiers’ charity.
The There But Not There Tommies campaign helps physically and mentally wounded veterans.
But VAT on the cash raised will go straight to the Treasury.
A petition has been launched following revelations that HMRC are to be the biggest beneficiaries of the fundraising drive.
Last week it was reported Chancellor Philip Hammond was yet to respond to a letter from former head of the Army, General the Lord Dannatt, asking him whether keeping the VAT was the “right thing to do?”
The taxman will get £800,000 of £4million raised from the sale of 10-inch versions of the statue, called
Tommy – a nickname for British soldiers.
The charity also aims to remember those who lost their lives in World War Ellwood One. has Defence taken minister the unusual Tobias step of lending his support to the campaign. In an open statement to the Chancellor, he said: “I hope you agree that there is a strong case for VAT to be exempted.” Six-foot versions of the Tommies have appeared at the Tower of London, the Giant’s Causeway, Westminster Abbey and Heart of Midlothian FC. Former Army officer Johnny Mercer MP said: “It would go some way to help temper the mood of military charities if the Treasury supported the campaign and pledged to match fund money.” Rowley Gregg, director of There But Not There, said: “I am hopeful the Chancellor will do the honourable thing.” A Government spokesperson said Mr Hammond would look into the issue.