Military Wives 'Wherever You Are' made VAT exempt

The Military Wives and Gareth Malone's single 'Wherever You Are' has been made VAT exempt by the UK government.

Chancellor George Osborne this week confirmed the decision following a request from Conservative MP Oliver Colvile.

The Treasury will donate money to charity in lieu of the tax taken from sales of the record, which is on course to become the Christmas number one.

'Wherever You Are' - released to raise money for charities that support the armed forces - has already racked up the biggest two-day sales figures for six years, and is outselling its nearest competitors - including Little Mix's 'Cannonball' and Nirvana's 'Smells Like Teen Spirit' - by a hundred to one.

"Our armed forces demonstrate incredible commitment to the nation and make sacrifices for all of us," said Osborne.

"The Military Wives choir is doing a great job of raising money for this hugely worthy cause. We will donate the tax collected on the single so that as much as possible of the money spent by the public on this fantastic song goes to charities helping our armed forces and their families this Christmas."

Last month, the government made a similar gesture for X Factor charity single 'Wishing on a Star'.

Listen to 'Wherever You Are' by The Military Wives and Gareth Malone below: