Call for tax break for air ambulances

John Healey and Kevin Barron have signed an early day motion for a Commons debate.

The Yorkshire Air Ambulance charity needs £7,200 a day to serve five million people across the county.

Last year it purchased about 170,000 litres of fuel incurring nearly £5,800 in VAT costs. 

Wentworth and Dearne MP Mr Healey said: “The Yorkshire Air Ambulance relies on donations to keep its two helicopters in the air and saving lives.

“So it would be an enormous help to them if the Government were to return to them the amount of VAT which is collected.”

YAA operates two helicopters—one in North Yorkshire and the other based at Leeds Bradford International Airport.

An EU directive gives special provision for fuel used by lifeboats, but no dispensation is currently available to the UK’s 20 independent air ambulance charities.

The early day motion calls for the money collected by the Treasury to be returned in the form of grants.

Paul Gowland, of the YAA, said: “We’re constantly striving to raise the vital finds required to stay in the air and operational.

“Therefore any reimbursements or donations would be very greatly received.”

The early day motion was tabled by York MP Hugh Bayley, and has received all party support.