The campaigning charity, Legacy10, today calls for an urgent overhaul of the honours system to increase recognition of people who give money and time to good causes.

Legacy10 is calling for an end to the awarding of honours solely for “services to business”, and instead asks that all awards in this category should be granted if there is also firm evidence of charitable or philanthropic service too.

The recommendation is one of ten suggestions made in a report which was requested by the Rt. Hon Maria Miller MP, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport.

Roland Rudd, founder and chairman of Legacy10, said: “Despite the extremely helpful Inheritance Tax change introduced by the Government in April 2012, the percentage of people in the UK who leave a gift to charity in their will is still three times less than their counterparts in the United States.

"We call on Government to send a clear signal that legacies can provide long-term, sustainable sources of income for charities and the arts. One way to do this is to end the award of honours solely for services for business, and instead reward charitable and philanthropic behaviour.

"Our report also outlines many ways to improve skills in the sector, as our evidence shows that the British are great at giving money but less good at asking for it.”

The Secretary of State will consider the report’s findings and is expected to provide a comprehensive response by the end of January 2013.

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