Gift Aid help for charities

Eamon McNicholas writes to you (Yorkshire Post, March 24) about taxation of charities and other voluntary groups and in particular of VAT payments.

He fails to mention the Gift Aid Scheme whereby charities and others may reclaim tax that has been paid by donors, always with their permission.

At the standard rate’ this more than matches VAT payments and as it applies to all donations it could be said to be preferable to a VAT discount on outgoings as it is there when the money comes in rather than when it goes out.

The organisation to which I belong, like many, takes advantage of this scheme and does not find it onerous in its application.

Unchanging EU

From: Douglas Hartley, Irving Terrace, Clayton, Bradford.

I AGREE with David Dunk’s reply (Yorkshire Post, March 9) to MEP Timothy Kirkhope’s comments (Yorkshire Post, March 7).

There will be no reform of the EU. The EEC/EU was designed from its beginning to be an unchangeable instrument for central political control.

Any member state seeking independence could break the EU’s bonds, and return to sovereignty and true democracy. Unfortunately, hardly any of Britain’s elected MPs are ready to propose or support such a step to freedom.

Answer back

From: Ken Holmes, Cliffe Common, Selby, York.

MANY of the questions on our Census forms are absolutely stupid and ridiculous. But, to keep within the law, I will reluctantly fill in the form to the best of my ability.

However, I have to confess that many of the daft questions asked will be answered with the letters: MYOB. No, they are not rude, but just in case they cannot work them out it means: “Mind your own business.”