Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether his Department plans to review the Approved Mileage Payment Allowance that can be claimed by volunteer drivers.

The Government sets the Approved Mileage Allowance Payments (AMAPs) rates to minimise administrative burdens. AMAPs aim to reflect running costs including fuel, servicing and depreciation. Depreciation is estimated to constitute the most significant proportion of the AMAPs.

Organisations are not required to use the AMAPs. Instead, they can agree to reimburse the actual cost incurred, where volunteers can provide evidence of the expenditure, without an Income Tax or National Insurance charge arising.

Alternatively, they can choose to pay a different mileage rate that better reflects their volunteers’ circumstances. However, if the payment exceeds the amount due under AMAPs, and this results in a profit for the individual, they will be liable to pay Income Tax and National Insurance contributions on the difference.

The Government keeps this policy under review.