HM Treasury
Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, has announced that the government will donate VAT on sales of the X Factor winners charity single.
Profits from sales of the single will be donated to two childrens charities, Together for Short Lives and Shooting Star Chase.
In recognition of the support both charities provide through their work with children with life-limiting illnesses and the wide-ranging support given to their families, the government will make a charitable donation to the charities, equivalent to the VAT payable on the sales of the single.
The government has previously waived the VAT on the Save the Children single, Band Aid Ebola single, 2011s Military Wives Choir single, and the 2010 Haiti earthquake appeal single.
George Osborne, Chancellor of the Exchequer, said:
It is great news that Together for Short Lives and Shooting Star Chase Childrens Hospice are to benefit from the proceeds of this years X Factor winners single.
I am a great admirer of the tremendous work that these charities do to support children with life-threatening and life-limiting medical conditions, and those who love and care for them.
I am very happy to announce that the government will refund all VAT on sales of the single.
I urge people go out and buy it in great numbers this Christmas so that as much money as possible is raised to support the charities work.
I hope it will help those families who are going through unimaginably difficult times, at a time of year that must be particularly difficult for them.