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Written question asked by Andrew Snowden (Conservative) on Monday, 3 November 2025, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 5 November 2025. It was answered by Dan Tomlinson (Labour) on Wednesday, 12 November 2025 on behalf of the Treasury.

Remembrance Day: VAT

Question

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate she has made of the annual revenue raised through VAT charged on Remembrance wreaths purchased by (a) local authorities, (b) schools and (c) community organisations.

Answer

The Government recognises the importance of Remembrance events and the role they play in honouring those who have served.

Where a charity chooses to offer its goods or services for free and invite voluntary donations, no VAT is charged. Charities also rightly enjoy generous tax reliefs, worth over £6 billion in 2024, including Gift Aid, exemptions from corporation tax and a number of VAT reliefs to support fund-raising activities. However, where charities sell goods and services, for example charging a set price, and the charity is VAT registered, it must charge VAT unless a VAT relief is available.

HMRC does not hold information on VAT charged on specific products or services. This is because businesses are not required to provide figures at a product level within their VAT returns, as this would impose an excessive administrative burden.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
87481
Session
2024-26
Grouped for answer
Yes
Subjects
VAT Tax yields Remembrance Day
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.parliament.uk