DROITWICH councillor and Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) volunteer, Val Humphries, has welcomed news of HMRC investing funds in voluntary and community organisations to support people with tax affairs.
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) recently announced £5.5m in funding to 12 different UK organisations, one of which is the RNIB.
Val Humphries, who is visually impaired and has volunteered in the sight loss sector for many years, told the Standard:” From a local perspective this is a really good initiative from HMRC.
“Having somewhere people can go to receive support and information is absolutely brilliant and I wholeheartedly support that.”
The full list of beneficiaries includes Advice Direct Scotland, Advice NI, Citizens Advice Bureau – Isle of Wight, Gosport and Fareham, Citizens Advice East Lancashire, Citizens Advice South
Tyneside, Good Things Foundation, Money Advice Trust, Refugee and Migrant Centre, Royal National Institute of Blind People, Royal Association for Deaf People, Tax Aid, and Tax Volunteers (Tax Help for Older People).
Nigel Huddleston, Mid Worcestershire MP and financial secretary to the treasury, added: “Access to advice about tax and benefits is essential for those who need extra help or support.
“These organisations provide a truly valuable service, which is why it’s absolutely necessary we provide the funding they need to continue their good work.”
The three-year funding pot, worth £1.8 million a year, will start in April 2024. Organisations bid for funding in the summer and have been allocated the grant based on rigorous selection criteria and due diligence checks.
This is the 12th round of grant funding HMRC has awarded as part of its commitment to ensuring everyone gets their tax right.
The organisations funded through the programme are on hand to provide support to HMRC customers in vulnerable circumstances, complementing the work of HMRC’s Extra Support Team.
