To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of reforming Gift Aid so that the value of additional and higher-rate tax reliefs is automatically directed to charities, unless donors choose to opt out.
This question was answered on 3rd September 2019
The Government recognises that charities are a vital part of our society and continues to provide support to the charitable sector worth over £5 billion per year, with Gift Aid being one of the most generous tax reliefs available – worth over £1.3 billion per year to charities and £520 million to their donors (through higher rate relief). The Government has made no assessment of the merits of reforming Gift Aid to allow the additional and higher rate tax reliefs to be automatically directed to charities unless donors opt out.