Culture secretary backs legacy campaign

Culture Secretary Jeremy Hunt has welcomed an initiative to encourage more people to leave a charitable gift in their Will. “Times are tough at the moment and while people are feeling the pinch, more than half the population still give to charity each month,” he said.“What’s surprising is that only seven per cent of people ever leave money to a charity in their will. Including a gift to charity in a will is a great way to recognise an organisation that’s been there for you during your life. ”Measures to increase charitable giving were announced by the Chancellor in the last Budget. Anyone leaving 10 per cent of their estate to charity in their Will from 6 April 2012 will benefit from a reduction in Inheritance Tax from 40% to 36%. Rob Cope, director of Remember A Charity, welcomed the tax incentive but said that the "collective challenge is now to reach beyond the top 3% to help create a social norm".