Castle Point MP Rebecca Harris and CEO of Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust, Jane Gurney, met with The Chancellor of the Exchequer, The Rt Hon George Osborne MP, at No.11 Downing St. on Tuesday to be told the excellent news that £5 million from the LIBOR Fund will be donated to Air Ambulance Trusts. £250,000 of this will be specifically granted to the Essex & Herts Trust.

As a member of the All Party Group for Air Ambulances Rebecca has been campaigning hard on behalf of the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust on important issues.

Earlier this year Rebecca wrote to the Chancellor asking for funding for the Essex & Herts Air Ambulance Trust from the grant money put aside from the LIBOR fines on the banks. Rebecca therefore warmly welcomed this week’s announcement.

Rebecca also previously campaigned to get a VAT cut for aviation fuel used by air ambulances. Preceding last spring’s Budget Rebecca wrote to the Chancellor on behalf of the Trust to ask the Government to relieve VAT on air ambulance aviation fuel. This was an especially welcome boost for all Air Ambulance Trusts.

Rebecca said:

“This week’s announcement is excellent news for all of us who may rely on the Air Ambulance Trust one day and I am proud of the great work that the Essex & Herts Ambulance Trust does year after year and the many lives they save. The VAT relief and extra funding will enable the Trust to expand and refurbish the North Weald Airbase along with other developments. The grant will also help ensure the development of training facilities and enable the Trust to plan towards a 24/7 service for patients across the area.”

“I have also lobbied the Chancellor to go further and give the trust a larger direct grant from the LIBOR fines and my fingers are crossed for another positive announcement at this year’s budget!”