The budget 2015: Reaction from around the sector

Business rates

.@ACCA_SME welcomes the Government announcement that they will launch a review into SME business rates | http://t.co/sxwmgTdthN @ACCANews

— Central Lobby (@CentralLobby) March 18, 2015

Key points for charities in #Budget2015 Business rates to be reviewed, which could lead to loss of charity exemption

— Sean Rodwell (@KR_Rodwell) March 18, 2015

Gift Aid and tax relief

#Budget2015 @stewardshipnews Gift Aid Small Donations up to £8,000. = +£750 for most charities. More for churches in a community building.

— Kevin Russell (@KevnRussell) March 18, 2015

Sounds like very good news on the Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme. Good day for small fundraising charities? Hope so.

— Karl Wilding (@karlwilding) March 18, 2015

good news! orchestra tax relief confirmed in budget today, waiting to hear details, so we can help members make best use! @MakingMusic_UK

— Barbara Eifler (@BarbaraEifler) March 18, 2015

• IPPR – Why increasing the personal tax allowance is poor value for money
• Barnardo’s – raising tax threshold to £11,000 will do precious little for poor families
• Big Society Capital – comment on the inclusion of Social Venture Capital Trusts to the Social Investment Tax Relief scheme

Department spending cuts

Notable that by far the biggest fall in DEL is for CLG Local Government – down to £10.5bn from £13.7bn #volsecbudget

— Nick Davies (@NJ_Davies) March 18, 2015

The Social Market Foundation assesses departmental spending in its Budget review. Chief Economist Nida Broughton says:

“Overall, the total cut to day to day departmental spending is around £28 billion, down from over £50 billion in December.”

LIBOR fines for military charities and air ambulances

We are delighted to announce that the Charity is to benefit from a £1.5 million donation from the LIBOR fund… http://t.co/LAZunxO9xR

— Essex Air Ambulance (@Essexairamb) March 18, 2015

Good to see funding for new air ambulance charities and £75m Libor fines going to regimental charities in #Budget2015 http://t.co/poT4YDv4ao

— CAF (@cafonline) March 18, 2015

Defibrillators, blood bikes and church roofs

Great to see the government announce funds for defibs in public places – but for maximum benefit, CPR must be taught in schools #Budget2015

— BHF (@TheBHF) March 18, 2015

VAT refund for blood bike shows it is possible to reform irrecoverable VAT if the gov wants to – let's start that discussion #volsecbudget

— Andrew O'Brien (@CFG_OBrien) March 18, 2015

Great news that the Chancellor is trebling funding for the repair of church roofs. A visionary move enabling better service of communities.

— John Inge (@BishopWorcester) March 18, 2015

Health and social care

Rethink Mental Illness have published a response on their website welcoming a new £1.25bn investment in children’s mental health services.

Tucked away on p72 of #Budget2015 is promising commitment to help people with multiple &complex needs. #socialjustice pic.twitter.com/uEvADpK2u9

— Christian Guy (@ChristianGuy_) March 18, 2015

Ocean reserve around the Pitcairn Islands

Chancellor announces funding for huge marine protection area around Pitcairn Islands #RSPB #Bluemarinef

— Richard Benyon (@RichardBenyonMP) March 18, 2015

A coalition of groups led by the RSPB, the Pew Charitable Trusts, the Zoological Society of London, the Blue Marine Foundation, the Marine Conservation Society, Greenpeace UK and the National Geographic Society said the announcement was a ‘monumental step’ for ocean protection.

What didn’t make it in?

We didn’t hear about the anticipated local sustainability fund. Though we hear through the grapevine that there might be news on this soon.

Child Poverty Action Group’s response to the budget, ‘See no poverty, hear no poverty’ examines the statistics behind the chancellor’s claim that child poverty is down.

Further reading from NCVO

• Five things that charities need to know about the 2015 budget from Michael Birthwhistle, Senior Policy Officer
• What Karl Wilding, Director of Public Policy, wishes the chancellor had said