Local MP Tim Farron has backed an e-petition to scrap VAT from Mountain Rescue teams and paid tribute to our 4^th emergency service.

Local MP Tim Farron has backed an e-petition to scrap VAT from Mountain Rescue teams and paid tribute to our 4th emergency service.

The E-petition on the government's website was set up by Marc Goodwin. The petition says: "Currently Mountain Rescue Charities across England have to pay VAT on the expensive equipment which they need to save people's lives. This VAT should be reimbursed."

The petition can be found here:https://submissions.epetitions.direct.gov.uk/petitions/44778

Tim as Vice Chair of All Party of the Parliamentary Group on Mountain Rescue Teams, was a key player behind the government announcement that a tax refund would be given to volunteer mountain rescue teams.

The UK Government currently gives £200,000 to Mountain Rescue Teams across the UK as a way of covering VAT paid. However there are concerns that this does not cover the full amount spent. The rebate was put in place by the Coalition Government after a long running campaign by Westmorland MP Tim Farron. Local MEP Chris Davies is now also taking up the fight in Brussels on behalf of the much loved rescue service.
The Royal National Lifeboat Institute has a special VAT exemption from the EU and Chris Davies has called on the European Commission to expand the exemption to Mountain Rescue teams.

Tim said: "Our Mountain Rescue teams do amazing work for people in desperate need. I cannot praise them highly enough - their determination and bravery always leaves me humble. They are real heroes.

"The teams are there in any emergency situation, from the floods to helping someone off the fells - they are there all the year round. I am a massive supporter of our Mountain Rescue teams and I will continue to do everything I possibly can to fight for a fair deal for them."

Chris Davies MEP added: "It seems only fair that the EU and the UK together help out Mountain Rescue by not collecting VAT on vital lifesaving equipment.

"An exemption across the EU for volunteer rescuers would save MRT volunteers time in filling out paperwork and would save the UK government money by not having them collect in a tax just to give it back later."