Brown to scrap VAT on Live Aid's charity DVD

Mirror

BAND-AIDED

Nov 8 2004

Brown to scrap VAT on Live Aid's charity DVD

By Rosa Prince
Political Correspondent

GORDON Brown yesterday pledged to waive VAT on sales of the Live Aid charity DVD and the remake of the Band Aid single.

The Chancellor told a delighted Bob Geldof before a star-studded launch of the 1985 concert recording.

Organiser Sir Bob said: 'It will be a hugely significant sum of money that will help alleviate the misery of the hungry in Africa.'

The concert, split between London and Philadelphia, brought together stars including U2, Queen and Madonna - but has never been released before.

A remake of the 1984 Band Aid record Do They Know It's Christmas? - the biggest-selling single of all time - is set to be recorded on Sunday.

Sir Paul McCartney and Bono are among the performers who will star on Band Aid 20. The U2 frontman will make a comeback to sing the line he delivered on the original: 'And tonight, thank God, it's them instead of you.'"

In 1984, 3.5million records were sold in the UK raising millions to help starving people in Africa.

This time if just 1.5million copies of the DVD and CD are sold, charities will get an extra £4million because of the VAT refund.

But with a host of top stars signed up to take part in the charity recording - tipped to be the Christmas No1 - the saving could hit £20million.

Each £4 CD single normally brings the Treasury 80p. It is only the third time a record has been made exempt from VAT. In 1984 Sir Bob was forced to plead with the Tory government for months before ministers agreed to drop the VAT levy. This time, it was Mr Brown who approached Live Aid campaigners.

Mr Brown said: 'People can buy the DVD and record this Christmas knowing all the money will go to support the vital work of the Band Aid Trust in the poorest countries of Africa.'

Stars including Ant and Dec joined Sir Bob at the launch of the DVD in Kennington, South London.

Sir Bob said: 'In a remarkable gesture wholly in the spirit of Band Aid, the Government has refused to take a single penny from sales of the Band Aid 20 record and the Live Aid DVD.

'Those of us old enough to remember the original song 20 years ago will have noted the contrast between the Government's response then and now.'

The CD goes on sale on November 29. The final line-up also includes Robbie Williams, who recorded the entire song in Los Angeles last week. Producer Nigel Godrich will choose the line he wants the singer to contribute to the final mix.

Chris Martin of Coldplay will sing the first line and play piano. Danny Goffey of Supergrass will play drums with Fran Healy of Travis on guitar. Other stars include Dido, The Darkness, Busted, Kate Moss, Will Young and Jamelia.

Proceeds will go to the Band Aid Trust for famine in the Darfur region of Sudan.

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