Charity Update - 9 March 2021

Welcome to the latest issue of Fieldfisher's Charity Update. 

The Spring Budget dominates the news this week with a generally negative reaction to its contents. In other news, the Funding Regulator updates its guidance and the Charity Commission announces the appointment of a new Interim Chair.

Neil Palmer

4 March 2021

Lloyds Bank Foundation will award £9.5m to small and local charities in 2021

Small and local charities in England and Wales can apply for two-year unrestricted grants of £50,000 from Lloyds Bank Foundation. The priority is to reach charities tackling complex social issues.

Lloyds Bank Foundation

4 March 2021

The #NeverMoreNeeded coalition reacts to the Spring Budget announcement

#NeverMoreNeeded, which represents thousands of social change organisations and charities across the UK, has issued a statement expressing its disappointment at the budget. Read the CFG's Budget Briefing Paper for an analysis of the 2021 Budget.

Charity Finance Group

3 March 2021

Charities and the Spring Budget

Civil Society News reports that the charitable sector has been underwhelmed by the support from the Government proposed by the Spring Budget. However, the Government has emphasised the positive benefits for the sector:

• Furlough Scheme extended until September.

• £10m to the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust to deliver charitable projects across the UK, that support veterans with mental health needs.

• £475,000 to armed forces charities in 2021-22, to support the development of a digital and data strategy for the sector.

• £19m towards tackling domestic abuse.

• Thalidomide Health Grant to continue beyond 2022-23 in England when existing funding runs out, so that no-one supported by it has to worry about the future costs of their care.

• £300m to extend the Culture Recovery Fund.

View the Budget in full here.

HM Treasury

3 March 2021

ACEVO CEO states "the Government is taking the charity sector for granted"

Following on from the Spring Budget announcements, Vicky Browning makes it clear that she does not feel the charity sector is being supported. Read the full statement here.

ACEVO

3 March 2021

Fundraising Regulator to update guidance as the sector prepares for easing restrictions

The FR are currently in talks with central Government about how they might update their existing guidance. They will issue updated versions in the coming month to help organisations with their planning. They list key points for consideration, please read them here.

Fundraising Regulator

2 March 2021

OSCR released updated guidance for charities campaigning on political issues

The Electoral Commission rules on campaigning have been modified slightly since the OSCR's 2018 guidance, please see their latest guidance here.

OSCR

2 March 2021

Charity inquiry - The Central Gurdwara (British Isles) London Khalsa Jath

A statement of the results of this Inquiry concluded that disputes between former trustees had a negative impact on the charity's governance and they were unable to effectively manage the charity’s finances. This amounted to misconduct and/or mismanagement. Newly appointed trustees can consider if the charity has lost money as a result of this misconduct and seek to recover it from the former trustees.

Charity Commission

1 March 2021

Public trust in charities is highest in Northern Ireland

Research released by the Charity Commission for Northern Ireland shows that trust and confidence in charities is higher in Northern Ireland than in Great Britain and the Republic of Ireland.

Charity Commission for Northern Ireland

26 February 2021

Ian Karet appointed as Interim Chair of the Charity Commission

Ian Karet is the Interim Chair of the Charity Commission from 27th February 2021 to 26th August 2021, whilst the appointment process for a permanent Chair is conducted.

The Charity Commission

26 February 2021

Law Society Research shows that wills are overlooked as a way of giving to charity

Despite overall high levels of charitable giving in the UK, Law Society research shows that few people leave a gift to charity in their will. Over 59% of those surveyed did not have a will, while of the ones who had, just 20% included a charity as a beneficiary. Read more about the survey results here.

Law Society