# SCVO welcomes Barclay Review recommendations

In the Barclay Review of Business Rates published today (22 August 2017) two key recommendations affecting the third sector in Scotland were put forward. First, the Group have recommended that arms-length external organisations (ALEOs) lose charitable rate tax relief (and sports club relief, if applicable) as this has been highlighted as a form of tax avoidance. The Group also recommended that private independent schools lose their charitable rate relief as this creates an unfair advantage when compared with state schools. Another positive development to come out of the report is new rate relief for day nurseries to support childcare provision, which includes third sector providers. Martin Sime, Chief Executive of the Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations (SCVO) said: “The Barclay Review of Business Rates has recognised the importance of the third sector in Scotland by maintaining relief for charities which provide public benefit. SCVO has long believed that arms-length organisations of local authorities and private schools are not genuine third sector organisations so we also welcome the Group’s recommendations around removing charitable rate relief from ALEOs and independent schools, which it has recognised as a form of tax avoidance.” The full report can be found at [http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0052/00523643.pdf](http://www.gov.scot/Resource/0052/00523643.pdf)

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## About SCVO

SCVO (Scottish Council for Voluntary Organisations) is the national membership organisation for Scotland's voluntary sector.

Our role is to champion the role of voluntary organisations in Scotland and to support them to do work that has a positive impact.

SCVO supports members and the wider voluntary sector with all aspects of setting up and running a voluntary organisation. SCVO represents the needs and concerns of the voluntary sector to the Scottish government in Holyrood and UK government and Westminster. Through our learning and events programme SCVO offers training and development opportunities to the sector.

Members access an extensive membership benefits package including specialist, in-depth, 1-to-1 guidance from our Information Services team and from professional service partners.

Access to exclusive membership networks (including comms, employers, governance and policy) supports members to grow their connections, stay up to date, exchange ideas and views with peers, and learn through tailored learning opportunities.

SCVO members enjoy free access to Funding Scotland Premium to stay on top of funding opportunities to support their organisation’s financial resilience.

Discounts and savings on SCVO products and services (including our HR service, managed IT support, payroll service and events and training) and partner offers provide members with support to allow them to focus on delivering their organisation’s goals. Further SCVO products and services include [extensive digital support](https://scvo.scot/support/digital), a climate action resource [Growing Climate Confidence](https://climateconfident.scot), a voluntary sector publication [Third Force News](https://tfn.scot) and a voluntary sector jobs and recruitment service [Goodmoves](https://goodmoves.org).

For more information on SCVO membership, visit [SCVO membership](https://scvo.scot/membership)