West Somerset Railway General Discussion

Agreed, I suspect the change in models and perceived price increase is quite damaging.

 

I'm not saying I think it will be changed, I'm just suggesting it is a Government scheme/policy. As we've learned over time no matter what the politicians might say, what they do can be completely different. I just wouldn't want to be reliant on anything coming from them. If you can get it then great, but it should extra rather than required.

 

That is one of the issues around the way Gift Aid has to work. I guess I am in your camp Steve in that a 10% voucher (in the NYMR instance) would be of no interest, so it just causes a price increase, where of course I would be happy to gift aid all the lower price and no voucher if the rules allowed.

 

I suggest

1. Its always worth keeping an eye on structure and the WSR's dates back to its formation AND
2. Its out of line with most other heritage railways, and
3. It has the potential too increase revenue

So what is there not to like?

 

Here you go, Noel - from the CH website:



So actually, 42...

 

Not all of them were active.

Given time, I do wonder if war will break out again at the WSR. I hope not, but from what I have read since he took over, there have been those who have got on with him and those who don't.

I never knew the guy, but I hope some cool heads will prevail at this moment in time

 

I was referring to his age (I'd said 43), not the number of appointments he held.

 

Gift Aid per se is a bargain for the taxpayer. Removing it would bankrupt organisations like National Trust, RNLI, Air ambulances and many others imagine the cost of providing those services as Government Agencies. Most politicians aren't that stupid.

 

Only if you ever bother to keep track of what you have gift aided and tell the tax man. I never could be bothered with all that.

 

Two separate issues. One is the personal tax position, where I see what you're saying. The other is that this is £1.88bn that government passes on in a range of ways without ever having to manage the complexities of grant applications, political priorities, or all the other stuff - it just follows what we each donate. It's virtually self-administering for the government, and barely a drop in the ocean of overall expenditure while giving voters outcomes they want.