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‘Chancellor’s Budget cap on giving threatens charities and Big Society’, says CSJ

The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) has urged the Chancellor to rethink Government plans to cap tax relief on charitable donations in an open letter sent to the Treasury.

With the backing of more than 70 effective poverty fighting charities, the CSJ argues that the proposed cap would reduce the funds given directly to frontline groups by the most generous Philanthropists.

In the letter to the Chancellor, Christian Guy, Director of Policy at the CSJ, wrote
“We fully
support the principle that wealthy individuals must pay their fair share of tax. It is counterproductive, however, that this should come at the expense of frontline charities working with the most vulnerable members of society.

“We know that 8 per cent of donors give nearly half of all donations and with the limitationsimposed by this cap, those donors will face either a higher tax bill, or the prospect of giving less to charity in order to maintain their current overall tax burden.

“We urge the Government to rethink this peculiar policy. It risks jeopardising the admirable Big Society agenda, and more widely, it will damage the capacity of the voluntary sector organisations that the Government hopes will lead a social recovery.”

For media inquiries, please contact Nick Wood of Media Intelligence Partners Ltd on 07889 617003 or 0203 008 8146 or Alistair Thompson on 07970 162225 or 0203 008 8145.

NOTES TO EDITORS

The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) is an independent think tank established in 2004 to put social justice at the heart of British politics.

In 2007 the CSJ published its landmark report, Breakthrough Britain. This publication, which set out
190 evidence-based policy recommendations to tackle poverty in Britain, transformed the social policy and political landscape and was awarded Publication of the Year by Prospect Magazine in 2008.

Since Breakthrough Britain the CSJ has published over 40 reports which have shaped government
policy and influenced opposition parties. These have included the seminal papers Dying To Belong and Dynamic Benefits, which has led the Coalition Government’s welfare reforms.

Further to this, the CSJ manages an Alliance of over 250 of the most effective grass roots, povertyfighting

organisations.

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