§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will provide businesses and wealthy individuals with greater fiscal incentives to make charitable donations. [146016]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonThe "Getting Britain Giving" package introduced last year provides significant incentives for businesses and wealthy individuals to make charitable donations. The £1,200 annual limit on donations under the payroll giving scheme has been removed to make it more attractive for higher earners, boosted by the Government's three year 10 per cent. supplement on all donations made in this way. The new relief for gifts of certain shares and securities provides a tax effective way for wealthy individuals with extensive shareholdings to give shares to charity and reduce their income tax bill by the full value of the gift. Higher rate taxpayers have always been able to claim tax relief on donations under gift aid. Companies can now give to charity by simply making a gross payment and claiming a deduction for the amount in their accounts.