Q. How has the EBU calculated the financial projections?

A. The EBU is not a profit making body and has historically set annual subscriptions and master point charges solely to fund the ongoing work of the Union and any necessary future investment. The pay-to-play proposal is intended to replace that, not to alter the Union’s net financial position.

The figure of 30p (which includes VAT) for the increase in table money is not precise but is intended to show the order of magnitude of the proposed charge – i.e. a few pence, not pounds. In arriving at that figure, we have used the financial data on subscription and master point income as published in the audited financial statements, augmented with data from affiliated clubs. The intention is to refine the club data via the county consultation process over the next four months.

Figures below are based on the 2005-6 financial data (provisional figures for 2006-7 are very similar) rounded to the nearest £10,000 (£5,000 for the smaller numbers). The pence figures are rounded up to the nearest whole penny. (Note that published financial data is net of VAT, which is payable on both elements of income, and of the payment of the share to county associations but it is the gross income that we need to maintain through the pay-to-play charge to achieve income equivalence to today).

The above numbers do not include any changes in income from club affiliation fees. The net change is a tiny fraction of the above and, on present indications is broadly balanced by the additional costs of services provided (software, web-hosting, more copies of English Bridge, etc.).