Organisations invited to bid for life saving defibrillators

ORGANISATIONS across England are being invited to bid for a share of £1 million of Government funding to buy life saving defibrillators for community spaces like:- Town Halls, local parks or Post Offices.

The Department of Health and Social Care is inviting interested organisations to register expressions of interest for its £1 million Community Automated External Defibrillators (AED) Fund, aimed at increasing the number of AEDs in public places where they are most needed and help save lives.

An estimated 1,000 new defibrillators are to be provided by the fund, with the potential for this to double as successful applicants will be asked to match the funding they receive partially or fully.

As part of the grant award, applicants will be asked to demonstrate that defibrillators will be placed in areas where they are most needed, such as:- places with high footfall, vulnerable people, rural areas, or due to the nature of activity at the site.

Examples could include:- Town Halls, community centres, local shops, Post Offices and local parks, to ensure that defibrillators are evenly spread throughout communities and easily accessible if someone is experiencing an unexpected cardiac arrest.

Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Steve Barclay, said:- "We know, through inspiring stories of ordinary people, being kept alive thanks to the swift use of a defibrillator in public, that these extraordinary devices must be accessible to all. I urge any organisation that may benefit from a defibrillator; whether you're a sports club, local theatre or community hall; to register your interest for this fund so that we can get more of this life-saving technology placed around England."

Minister of State for Care, Helen Whately, said:- "When a friend, family member, neighbour or even a total stranger is experiencing cardiac arrest, the quick use of a defibrillator in an easy to reach place can be the lifeline that keeps them with us. If you run a space in your community that could benefit from one, please register your interest for our £1 million grant, and join our drive to widen the availability of this incredible technology."

Professor Sir Stephen Powis, National Medical Director for NHS England said:- "When someone goes into cardiac arrest it's crucial that they are given effective CPR and quick defibrillation to restart their heart. This new fund is a great opportunity for grassroots organisations to ensure that their community has access to lifesaving equipment in their moment of need. As the NHS turns 75, we will continue to adopt new technology and promote access to innovations, such as Automated External Defibrillator, which can improve care and treatment for patients and help save lives."

Cllr James Jamieson, Chairman of the Local Government Association said:- "Councils are working hard to install new defibrillators where they are needed the most, such as in parks and community spaces as well providing funding for local organisations to do the same. This new funding will help to support this vital effort, helping to potentially save the lives of thousands of people across the country."

The department will invest the funding through an independent partner, drawn from the Government's Crown Commercial Service list of approved suppliers, to manage grant applications from bidding organisations.

To accelerate the administration of the grant in advance of the partner being chosen, prospective organisations who wish to obtain funding for a defibrillator are now invited to register an expression of interest with the Department of Health and Social Care.

Organisations who submit an expression of interest will be notified once grant applications open to the Department of Health and Social Care's £1m Community AED Fund.

The funding is part of the Government's drive to equip the health system with the right technology to ease pressures, reduce backlogs and cut waiting lists, and to improve public access to care when they need it.

Just under 1 month to go until Alcohol Duty system changes

JUST under 1 month until the biggest Alcohol Duty reforms in 140 years come into effect. On 1 August 2023, the Alcohol Duty system will become much simpler, taxing all alcoholic drinks based on their alcohol by volume (ABV).

This replaces the current Alcohol Duty system, which consists of 4 separate taxes covering:- beer, cider, spirits, wine and made wine. It will make the system fairer and responsive to new products entering the market as consumer tastes evolve.

Small producers, including:- pubs and restaurants, will benefit from reduced rates on qualifying products, such as:- draught beer and cider.

The new system reflects the Government's commitment to tax simplification, helping to foster the right conditions for businesses to prosper and the economy to grow - 1 of the Prime Minister's 5 priorities.

Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury Gareth Davies said:- "Because we left the EU we can make sure our alcohol duty system works for us. From next month the whole system will be simpler; the duty will reflect the strength of the drink. We will also protect pubs and brewers with our Brexit Pubs Guarantee keeping Draught Duty down, and a new Small Producer Relief."

Jonathan Athow, Director General of Customer Strategy and Tax Design, HMRC, said:- "After listening to feedback from industry, economists, consumer organisations, public health groups and many business owners, the new Alcohol Duty system will be based on the founding principle of taxing alcoholic products by strength, ensuring consistency across the board for the 1st time. The new system will support the Government's public health objectives, and provide extra support to:- small producers, pubs and the hospitality sector."

The new system will create 6 standardised alcohol duty bands across all types of alcoholic products and apply to all individuals and businesses involved in the manufacture, distribution, holding and sale of alcoholic products across the UK.

These reforms will replace and extend the existing Small Brewers Relief with Small Producer Relief. This means that all small businesses that produce any alcoholic products with an ABV of less than 8.5% will be eligible for reduced rates on qualifying products, if they produce less than 4,500 hectolitres per year.

To support the hospitality industry, and recognising the vital role played by pubs in our communities, there will also be a reduced rate for draught products; known as Draught Relief. This will reduce Alcohol Duty on qualifying beer and cider by 9.2%, and by 23% on qualifying wine based, spirits based and other fermented products, sold in on trade premises such as:- pubs and restaurants.

The reforms will mean that every pint in every pub across the UK will pay less duty than their supermarket equivalent, in line with the Government's Brexit Pubs Guarantee.

To support wine producers and importers in moving to the new method of calculating duty on their products, temporary arrangements will be in place for 18 months from:- 1 August 2023 until 1 February 2025.

To support innovation and responsible drinking, low strength drinks below 3.5% ABV will be charged at a new lower rate of duty. In making these changes, the Government aims to encourage product innovation and ensure the Alcohol Duty system works for business and consumers.

More information on the new Alcohol Duty rates and reliefs can be found on GOV.UK.

Those involved in the production of smaller quantities of alcoholic products, can check the reduced rates of duty that apply to them by using the Small Producer Relief calculator. HMRC is also running a series of live webinars throughout July 2023 and in the months ahead to further support the alcohol industry through these changes.

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