§ Lord Pendryasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many sports clubs are registered with the Inland Revenue for financial benefits as community amateur sports clubs; and what proportion of the total number of sports clubs this represents; and [HL1601]
22WAWhat steps they have taken to encourage the take-up of the tax relief available to community amateur sports clubs since the 80 per cent relief came in with the Local Government Act 2003. [HL1602]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Culture, Media and Sport (Lord McIntosh of Haringey)At the end of February 2004, 2,475 sports clubs had applied to the Inland Revenue for registration as community amateur sports clubs (CASCs), 702 of which had been registered. A List of registered clubs is published on the Inland Revenue website, and is updated on a monthly basis. Precise figures for the total number of sports clubs in the UK are not available, although there are over 110.000 but not all will be eligible for CASC status.
The Inland Revenue, in partnership with the Central Council of Physical Recreation (CCPR), Bates, Wells & Braithwaite, Deloitte & Touche and others, has held a series of regional seminars to promote the CASC scheme. The Inland Revenue continues to work closely with representative bodies to encourage awareness of the scheme among their members.
The Office of the Deputy Prime Minister (ODPM) has written to local authorities informing them of forthcoming changes to the rating system resulting from the Local Government Act 2003, which include the introduction of mandatory 80 per cent rates relief for CASCs. Local authorities have been asked to reinforce to sports clubs that registered CASCs in England and Wales will receive mandatory rates relief.
In addition, the ODPM is issuing publicity leaflets through local authorities about the changes to their business rates bills in April 2005 following the Revaluation and Local Government Act 2003 These leaflets include information on CA SC eligibility and registration and are being issued to business ratepayers with their 2004–05 bills.
Both the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and the Minister for Sport and Tourism have regular meetings with many of the national governing bodies for sport, and frequently discuss the promotion of the CASC initiative.
In addition, the Chancellor of the Exchequer and the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport also wrote to all Members of Parliament in December, encouraging them to promote the scheme to amateur sports clubs in their constituencies.