The RNLI face crippling increases in charges for their VHF licences - from a current discounted rate of £48k to a massive £250k pa. There is a petition website for those who object to this government led change - if you can help by signing up please visit the following link:
http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/RNLI-RF-licences (http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/RNLI-RF-licences)
Please forward to anyone you think might help by signing the petition.
Great to see support for the RNLI but the petition closed in October and information posted suggests that the RNLI bill should go down under the revised scheme not up so panic over it seems.
Chadders, - wrong October!!!
The petition is open to October 2009!
I have spoken to the RNLI about it and they have asked for all the support that can be mustered. The principle actually not only affects them but also any club using radios for their safety boats..............................
Yet another 'stealth tax'?
Concerning radio charges for the RNLI and other search and rescue charities - people might find the following RNLI press release informative - it also contains links to the relevant Ofcom documents:
http://www.rnli.org.uk/who_we_are/press_centre/news_releases/news_release_detail?articleid=383984 (http://www.rnli.org.uk/who_we_are/press_centre/news_releases/news_release_detail?articleid=383984)
Another gov't stealth tax - just like when the 3g spectrum was sold off (although not so much pity for them as big companies paid way too much) but in the end we pay for it one way or another.