WHAT’S NEW? DEMENTIA TAX CAMPAIGNERS


DESCEND ON DOWNING STREET The co-founders of dementia care social enterprise The Filo Project recently handed in an open letter at Downing Street, calling for an end to an unfair VAT rule that adds 20% to dementia care costs faced by families.


Libby Price and Liz Dennis were joined by Peter Kempton, whose mother attended a local Filo group, and MPs Anthony Mangnall and Simon Jupp.


The Filo Project offers unique day care within hosts’ homes for small groups of socially isolated older people with early to moderate dementia.


Unlike the NHS, dementia care is not free and families must cover all or part of the cost themselves.


The Filo Project is a not-for-profit organisation but VAT rules stipulate they must charge families an extra 20% on the vital day care they provide. This is because they are a Community Interest Company and not a state-regulated institution or charity.


For families who pay the full cost of dementia care themselves, this additional cost burden of VAT, based on someone attending day care two times weekly, is £1,768 per year.


Since the social enterprise was set up in 2014, families supported by The Filo Project have paid over £700,000 just in VAT for their day care.


Libby Price, co-founder and director of The Filo Project said: “The Government waives VAT for solar panels and caviar, yet essential dementia care provided by a social enterprise like us is considered a taxable luxury service.


“This is fundamentally unfair and means families can’t afford as much dementia care as they need.


BLUEBIRD CARE APPOINTS NEW


DIRECTOR OF PEOPLE Bluebird Care has taken on a new Director of People to oversee the development and support of their 10,000-strong workforce, and bolster the delivery of high-quality care.


Claire Ronan joins Bluebird Care from Prestige Nursing & Care, where she led the People Team. Her extensive experience and dedication for the sector will see her develop Bluebird Care’s refreshed strategy for recruiting and retaining the very best care experts and team members, giving them opportunities to grow and develop their expertise and skills.


With a strong track record in employee value proposition and retention, Claire


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“We’re here today at Downing Street calling for the Government to put this right in the upcoming Spring Budget by changing VAT rules so not-for-profit organisations like us who provide welfare support and care are exempt from having to charge VAT. Families would feel an immediate benefit.”


Peter Kempton, whose mother attended a Filo Project group until she passed away recently, said: “If we didn’t have to pay VAT, we could have afforded another day at The Filo Project for mum or more care – it would have made a big difference.”


https://www.change.org/p/end-the-dementia-tax?utm_medium=custom_url&utm_source=share_petition&recruited_by_id=bcf8bcd0-be90-11ee-a5f1-4182d8311134 www.thefiloproject.co.uk


will be instrumental in Bluebird Care’s development of their workforce offer and employer brand values.


Claire Ronan, Director of People, Bluebird Care, said: “I know how meaningful high-quality care can be for people and their families, both from personal experience and through my career background, and that is what drives me. When we get it right, the difference we make to people and families is immeasurable – I am looking forward to supporting all our care experts and teams across the country as they make that difference every day.”


Jonathan Gardner, Chief Executive Officer of Bluebird Care, said: “Our teams are at the heart of absolutely everything we do, and our People agenda is crucial to our delivery of really great care. Through our investments and Claire’s appointment, we are working with our care experts, who are the absolute


The Filo Project’s national petition smashed its 500-signature target within a week of being opened this month. It currently stands at over 1,000 signatures and the social enterprise is calling on the public to show their support by adding their signature here.


backbone of this business, and the office teams who support them, to give them the best opportunities to grow.


www.bluebirdcare.co.uk www.tomorrowscare.co.uk


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