Victory in campaign to secure VAT relief for air ambulances

A TWO-year campaign to secure VAT relief on the fuel used by air ambulance services across the UK has claimed success after the Chancellor agreed the measure in yesterday’s Budget.

Yorkshire Air Ambulance chairman Peter Sunderland said he was “absolutely delighted” at the decision to relieve his service of the five per cent VAT it pays on its fuel.

The Treasury said the tax relief will come in the form of an annual £65,000 grant for all air ambulance charities, secure for each of the next five years.

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“This money can now be used to help fund the running of both of our life-saving helicopters,” Mr Sunderland said.

“It costs £9,990 per day to keep both of the helicopters in the air and helping to save lives, and we are delighted with this extra bit of support from the Government.”

The measure was warmly welcomed by local campaigners.

York Outer MP Julian Sturdy said: “I am thrilled the campaign to help Yorkshire Air Ambulance with its fuel costs has now been taken up by the Treasury. The Yorkshire Air Ambulance saves lives every day across the county.”

Clive Dickin, national director of the Association of Air Ambulances, said the decision was “excellent news”.

“We have been lobbying Government for two years to bring the treatment of VAT on air ambulances in line with other emergency services,” he said.