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Membership Rates Increase FAQs

What are the new membership rates?

 

Individual Membership (standard rate) is increasing to £48 per year / £4 per month. 

Individual Membership (concessionary rate) will be £12 a year / £1 a month. The concessionary rate is available to people who are on a low income / unwaged, retired and students in full-time education (‘Reduced’) and young people aged 14-18 (‘Youth’).

Family Membership is increasing to £48 per year / £4 per month. (Previously Members could sign up on a Family Membership, however this is something we are currently not actively recruiting on). Please note: There is only a standard rate for Family membership.

When does the rate increase come into effect?

From Monday 1st July 2019. That means membership payments due on or after 1 July 2019 will be at the new rates.

This applies to all payment methods (direct debit, cheque, debit/credit card) and payment frequencies (monthly, annual). 

When can I expect to receive my letter outlining the new membership rates?

Members can expect to receive a letter at the start of May 2019. 

Why has Amnesty International UK Section increased its membership rates?

Amnesty International UK Section members voted at the 2013 AGM in favour of a resolution to conduct a review of membership rates every two years.

The last membership rate rise was in 2013/2014.

Through your membership contribution, you help fund Amnesty International UK’s vital human rights work by making it possible for us to bring domestic and global human rights issues to the attention of the public, mobilising people across the country to take action to defend human rights. You also make it possible for us to retain our democratic status through our Annual General Meeting, where we welcome members to exercise their right to have a say on guiding our essential work going forward.

We cannot escape from the fact that the cost of this vital work increases over time, which is why we have found it necessary make the first increase to membership fees since that of 2013/14. That said, we do not want to exclude people from being members because of affordability, which is why we have retained a concessionary option.

We really value your membership of Amnesty International UK Section and your commitment to protecting human rights. You are the heart of Amnesty International UK Section and together, we achieve great wins for humanity and human rights. It is your membership that makes it possible for us to run campaigns in the UK to protect human rights, here and around the world. 

I currently pay my membership by direct debit. What do I need to do?

Nothing. Your direct debit will automatically be taken at the appropriate new rate for payments due on or after 1 July 2019.

You will receive a letter in May 2019 confirming the new payments before they are taken.

I already contribute the same amount or more than the new membership rate appropriate to me by direct debit. Do I need to do anything?

No. If the total amount you contribute to Amnesty International UK Section (existing membership rate plus donation) is the same or more than the new membership rates, your payment amount will not change. 

I pay my membership by debit / credit card or cheque. What do I need to do?

If your membership renewal date is on or after 1 July 2019, payments due will be at the appropriate membership rate to you from your next renewal date.

We will send you a membership renewal notification by post.  

I currently pay for my Individual Membership at the standard rate. I am actually eligible for the concessionary rate. What should I do?

Amnesty International UK does not want affordability to be a barrier to people being members of our movement and so we offer a concessionary rate for Individual Membership.

From 1 July 2019, this is set at £12 per year or £1 a month and now can be paid by direct debit, debit / credit card or cheque.  This concessionary rate is offered to anyone who is: 

  • On a low income or unwaged; retired; a student in full-time education (‘Reduced’)
  • A young person aged 14 to 18 (‘Youth’)

If you are eligible and wish to change to the concessionary rate, please email our Supporter Communications Team at membershiprates@amnesty.org.uk. They will be able to adjust your Individual Membership to the concessionary rate for you. If you are currently paying more than the concessionary rate and wish to continue to do so, the additional donation (the amount above the concessionary rate) to Amnesty International UK Section will help fund our human rights work and is greatly appreciated. 

You can find other ways to contact them here

I currently pay for my Individual Membership at the concessionary rate but am no longer eligible. What should I do?

Our concessionary rate for Individual Membership is offered to anyone who is: 

  • On a low income or unwaged; retired; a student in full-time education (‘Reduced’)
  • A young person aged 14 to 18 (‘Youth’)

If you are not eligible for our concessionary rate, please email our Supporter Communications Team at membershiprates@amnesty.org.uk who can adjust your Individual Membership to the standard rate for you. You can find other ways to contact them here

I cannot afford the new membership rates, but I want to continue supporting Amnesty International UK. What can I do?

Amnesty International UK do not want affordability to be a barrier to supporting our human rights work. 

  • We offer a concessionary rate for Individual Membership (see ‘What are the new membership rates?’. Unfortunately, it is not possible to contribute less than this (£1 a month / £12 a year) and be a member of Amnesty International UK Section. If you need to cancel your membership, please contact our Supporter Communications Team. Please note that you must be a paying member of Amnesty International UK in order to vote at our AGM. While you will no longer be a member, your regular contribution will continue to be crucial in our fight for human rights. 
  • You can donate Amnesty International UK Charitable Trust at an amount that suits you, as and when it suits you. You can do that here
  • You can support Amnesty International UK with a financial contribution in many other ways, from shopping at our bookstores and online shop, to holding an event to raise funds, to remembering us in your Will. Visit our Get Involved page to find out more or contact us for further information. 
  • You can take action for human rights in many ways, including adding your name to our online campaign actions or joining your local Amnesty group. Visit our Get Involved page to find out more or contact us for further information. 

I currently pay a direct debit amount which is between the new Individual concessionary rate of and the standard Individual rate. I can’t afford the new Individual rate but am happy to continue paying more than the concessionary rate.

Yes, you can. Please contact our Supporter Communications Team at membershiprates@amnesty.org.uk and they will be happy to sort this for you. 

I already contribute the same amount or more than the new membership rate appropriate to me. Why have I received a letter?

Amnesty International UK are informing all of our members about the new rates as we wish to be transparent and keep you up-to-date with changes. 

If you are already paying the same amount as the appropriate new rate, this means that all your contribution is now for your membership (previously, it was paying for your membership plus a donation.) 

If you are already paying more than the appropriate new rate, it means that the new membership rate is covered and the amount you are donating has just reduced in proportion. 

I only became a member recently. Why is my membership rate increasing from 1 July 2019?

Amnesty International UK’s membership rates change on 1 July 2019 and from that point, the new rates apply to all current members and those who join on or after 1 July.

From 20th February, notice of the planned increase in membership rates was given on our online membership forms and advised to new members joining at less than the new rate by our Supporter Care team and fundraisers. Notification of the planned rate rise also appears in the Amnesty magazine.   

I have more than one direct debit to Amnesty International UK. Why is my membership increasing when I also give money to the Charitable Trust?

We know that many of our members also give additional gifts to Amnesty International UK (for example a regular gift to the Charitable Trust) which we are incredibly grateful for. 

Amnesty International UK is composed of two distinct but related organisations: Amnesty International UK Section (company number 01735872) and Amnesty International UK Section Charitable Trust (charity registration number 1051681 in England and Wales and SC039534 in Scotland). All members are members of Amnesty International UK Section. 

The changes to the membership fees do not impact any direct debits you have set up with the Charitable Trust- these will remain the same. 

The new membership rates apply to all current members of Amnesty International UK Section and this applies to those members giving to the Charitable Trust too. 

If you are currently paying under the new rates, from 1st July your payment will increase to be inline with the new fees. Any other direct debits/payments you have to Amnesty International UK will remain the same, so you will see a change in the overall total you are giving to Amnesty International UK.  

If you feel that because of the changes to the membership rates you cannot continue with either your membership or any other payments to Amnesty International UK as they are currently, please email our Supporter Communications Team at membershiprates@amnesty.org.uk who can make any adjustments for you. 

If the Membership rates are a set amount, why am I currently paying over that?

There are two rates for Individual Membership (standard and concessionary) and a standard rate Family Membership.

The majority of our members chose to give an extra contribution on top of their membership rate. Any additional contribution helps increase the amount of funds available for Amnesty International UK’s human rights work and is greatly appreciated.  

Does the membership rate rise affect Amnesty groups?

The rate rise coming into effect on 1 July 2019 applies to Individual and Family members only and not Amnesty group fees or Trade Union affiliate fees.