Charity wants more prominence for givers in the UK honours list
A CAMPAIGNING charity yesterday called for an urgent overhaul of the honours system to increase recognition of people who give money and time to good causes.
Legacy10, which was founded by the financial public relations executive Roland Rudd, is calling for an end to the awarding of honours solely for “services to business”, and instead asks that all awards in this category only be granted if there is also firm evidence of charitable or philanthropic service too.
The recommendation is one of ten suggestions made in a report, which was requested by culture secretary Maria Miller.
Rudd, chairman of Legacy10, said: “Despite the extremely helpful Inheritance Tax change introduced by the government in April 2012, the percentage of people in the UK who leave a gift to charity in their will is still three times less than their counterparts in the United States.
“We call on government to send a clear signal that legacies can provide long-term, sustainable sources of income for charities and the arts. One way to do this is to end the award of honours solely for services for business, and instead reward charitable and philanthropic behaviour.”
The culture secretary is due to respond to the report by the end of January.