Two fictional tales – but based on real information.

Jo, is an NHS nurse on a typical salary of £30,000 (and occasional user of the local foodbank).
Jo decided to take the family to the local zoo for a special birthday treat.
Tickets for the family cost £70 (2 x £20 adults + 2 x £15 children).
The zoo is a registered charity and invited Jo to donate an additional £7 (10%) on the entry costs so that it could claim £19.25 (25% of the £77 entry cost) in Gift Aid.
Jo hesitantly agreed to support the charity even though the extra £7 would make it difficult to afford to buy ice-creams for the children.

Alex, is the CEO at Jo’s hospital and is on a salary of £100,000
Alex decided to take the family to the local zoo for a special birthday treat.
Tickets for the family cost £70 (2 x £20 adults + 2 x £15 children).
The zoo is a registered charity and invited Alex to donate an additional £7 (10%) on the entry costs so that it could claim £19.25 (25% of the £77 entry cost) in Gift Aid.
Alex happily agreed to support the charity because, as a higher rate tax payer the donation would also mean a 25% (£19.25) reduction in personal income tax – making it cheaper to get into the zoo (£77-£19.25 = £57.75) than not “generously” making the donation.

Sam – the even wealthier (£1M/yr) CEO at a private charitable hospital – is even happier.   Because, at the even higher income tax rate of 45%, the personal tax refund is £24.06 – enough to pay for ice-creams and drinks for the whole family.

 

What do these little tales tell us about our social & financial attitudes to charity, wealth, equity, levelling up ……. and Gift Aid?

Comments & suggestions (preferably polite) welcomed.