martinmac Posted November 12, 2008 Share Posted November 12, 2008 Sorry to ask guys but this one is dear to my heart. We do a lot of work with them and they are in need of all the money they can get. The background: (From the Telegraph..) LIFEBOAT crews fear being scuppered by crippling new charges for using their radios from Ofcom, the communications regulator. The RNLI could see the price of using its VHF emergency frequencies rise to £250,000 under plans to charge the full commercial rate. The charity, which saves hundreds of lives every year currently pays an annual £48,000 at a discounted rate of 50 per cent. It relies on donations and fears the move will have a disastrous impact on fundraising. Peter Bradley, RNLI operations staff officer, said: 'It's a lot of money when you think in terms of lifeboat days and little old ladies collecting pound coins.' 'We could buy several inshore lifeboats for the same amount.' 'The Government rely on us to provide this search-and-rescue service, at a cost of £124 million a year, but they want to charge us for doing it!' Ofcom has set out plans to bring 'market forces' into maritime and civil aviation communications in a policy it calls Administered Incentive Pricing. £250,000 represents an awful lot of charity collections, even more so in the current economic climate so, if like me you feel strongly enough about this, please sign the petition below. http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/RNLI-RF-licences/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Maccaman Posted November 12, 2008 Share Posted November 12, 2008 Signed. This smacks of another back-door tax. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M350ZB Posted November 12, 2008 Share Posted November 12, 2008 Done Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GIXXERUK Posted November 12, 2008 Share Posted November 12, 2008 DONE Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew Posted November 12, 2008 Share Posted November 12, 2008 I'll do this. We supported the lifeboats greatly at the pub I worked in. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
martinmac Posted November 12, 2008 Author Share Posted November 12, 2008 I'll do this. We supported the lifeboats greatly at the pub I worked in. Spilt a lot then Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stew Posted November 12, 2008 Share Posted November 12, 2008 :lol: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andy Posted November 12, 2008 Share Posted November 12, 2008 Signed and a for a very worthwhile cause Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lexx Posted November 12, 2008 Share Posted November 12, 2008 Signed a good while ago Like Martin, this one is very close to me so get your friends involved. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AK350Z Posted November 12, 2008 Share Posted November 12, 2008 You would have thought they would have the foresight to exclude charities trom this. bloody useless! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toon Chris Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 The Government response to this petition implies that the charges may even be less than they are now, but that a report is being prepared to evaluate this. I support the lifeboats as much as any but would it not be better to wait to find out what the effect will actually be rather than having a petition quoting an emotive figure, supplied by a paper with 'leanings away from the Government (!)'. The problem is that it can so easily be refuted that it defuses the main point - that it should be free. Even so, changing the fee to cover how much you actually use a channel seems bizarre! I still signed, though, as I agree it should be free for such an important charity. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SunsetZed Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 I'd be happy paying slightly more tax knowing that it went to the RNLI rather than forcing them to raise the cash themselves, they should be government funded in the same way that the police, fire and ambulances services are, the fact that they aren't is frankly scandalous in my opinion. EDIT: I've signed it! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chris`I Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 This is just stupid! They make no gain from their service and as such it should be free. Only profit making organisations should have to pay for this kind of thing. This world is getting more messed up by the day! Signed Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Trev-the-Rev Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 Done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbs Posted November 13, 2008 Share Posted November 13, 2008 Done, living at the coast I support our local RNLI in every way I can. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cara Posted November 14, 2008 Share Posted November 14, 2008 Done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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