Cameron rebuffs hopes of air ambulance fuel aid

Colne Valley MP Jason McCartney asked the Prime Minister to intervene yesterday after questioning why the air ambulance had to pay VAT on its fuel, but the RNLI did not.

Mr McCartney raised the issue in the Commons yesterday after taking part in a charity bike ride to collect funds for Yorkshire Air Ambulance.

He said: “Last week I joined 170 other Huddersfield Town fans in cycling from Huddersfield to Brighton to raise £200,000 for the Yorkshire Air Ambulance. Would the Prime Minister join me in praising Huddersfield Town for raising that money?”

He added: “Would he also look into why the air ambulance has to pay VAT on their fuel, yet the RNLI, another emergency charity service doesn’t.”

Mr Cameron replied: “First of all, I would like to congratulate my honourable friend for his bicycling feat and for all those who took part from Huddersfield Town.

“I also pay tribute to our air ambulance crews across the country who do an amazing and brilliant job.”

He said that, although a change could not be made, other measures were financially assisting charities. “The EU VAT Directive does make an exemption for lifeboats. There’s no equivalent provision for supplies used by other charities and we are not able to change that,” Mr Cameron added.

“However, we are able to do more for charities. We did in the Budget, including the inheritance tax exemption, which I think is going to make a huge difference.”