BUDGET RESULT FOR VOLUNTEER DRIVERS

Added on Wed 23rd Mar 2011 by Admin (Web designer)

VOLUNTEERING ENGLAND PRESS RELEASE: BUDGET RESULT FOR VOLUNTEER
DRIVERS

Volunteering England has welcomed the announcement that volunteer drivers will be able to claim a higher level of expenses to cover their costs.

The announcement follows sustained calls for better support for volunteer drivers by Volunteering England, the Community Transport Association and other civil society organisations and will be welcomed by thousands of volunteer drivers across the country that provide a vital community service.
All drivers who use their vehicle for work or volunteering will now be able to claim 45p per mile for the first 10,000 miles, an increase from the current rate of 40p. In addition, an allowance of 5p per passenger per mile that is already available to business drivers will be extended to volunteers.

Director of Public Affairs, Mike Locke, said:

“This is a very welcome announcement that recognises the importance of volunteers in enabling communities to meet their transport needs themselves.

“We are pleased that our calls for the mileage rate to be increased by 5p have been heeded, and the extension of passenger payments to end the inequality between business and volunteer drivers is a positive sign that the Government is taking the role of volunteers seriously. Without volunteer drivers many people would be trapped in their own homes, unable to attend hospital appointments or even do their shopping.

“As the price of fuel has risen sharply in recent months we have received a high level of enquiries from our members about the low level of expenses that can be claimed by volunteer drivers. We are therefore very pleased that our efforts to make the case to the Government have paid off.”