No charity for charities
Once a charity could build something or buy a piece of property and not pay any VAT. But not for much longer because has decided in its infinite wisdom to withdraw the concession. (See our story Charities reeling as VAT concession is cut).
Experts say this could be ‘devasting’ and you can’t help but feel that taking money out of the pockets charities right now, in this way, is poorly judged. After all, given the dire fiscal deficit we have right now, it’s not like public services will be expanded to fill the gap that charities currently occupy.
But charities are right to feel aggrieved that there has been no notice for this measure and no consultation. In an era in which government needs to make savings, and make them fast, perhaps we can expect more poor behaviour like that.