HMRC rules out funding gift aid database

6 December 2010

Greetings!

The government has finally signalled what it is and is not prepared to do in terms of reforming gift aid. This week also brings an update on the new Sorp - the Charities Sorp Committee is working on a modular Sorp that will be shorter for small charities but longer for large ones. The news comes just as NCVO president Lord Hodgson calls for a shorter, simpler Sorp to encourage the setting up of more grantmaking foundations.

We can also announce that the Charity Awards 2011 is open for entries. Don't miss out on this fantastic opportunity to showcase your organisation's hard and work and achievements - click here for an entry form and more information.

HRMC will investigate the benefits and cost of allowing online gift aid filing, but will not be funding any gift aid database, the economic secretary to the Treasury has stated.

Charities Sorp Committee starts work on new modular Sorp

The Charities Sorp Committee has started work on a modular e-version of the next Sorp, to ensure it dovetails with the three-tier approach that the Accounting Standards Board is planning for the move to harmonise UK reporting standards with international ones.

Circle 'social enterprise' wins ten-year NHS contract

The East of England Strategic Health Authority has handed the running of a debt-ridden NHS trust to a private limited company that describes itself as a social enterprise.

Lord Hodgson urges review of Sorp and Trustee Act

NCVO president Lord Hodgson of Astley Abbotts believes the Sorp should be shortened and the Trustee Act reviewed, in order to encourage more people to set up charitable foundations.

DSC policy chief hits out at government infrastructure plans

The Directory of Social Change has labelled the government's consultation on the sector's infrastructure "shambolic" and likened it to Labour's controversial ChangeUp programme.

Website attacks directors' salaries at Fire Fighters Charity

A website has been created to highlight the "excessive" salaries paid to directors at the Fire Fighters Charity.

In other news...

Labour backbenchers form new committee on civil society

Hazel Blears is to head a new Labour backbench committee focused on social action and civil society.

Service users are put at risk by threadbare employee references, warn homelessness groups

Depaul UK and Broadway have urged charities to ensure they provide adequate references for former employees working with vulnerable people.

Big Society 'volunteers' fight corporate tax avoidance

An "army of citizen volunteers" caused chaos this weekend holding protests to avenge cuts to public services in the name of the Big Society.

New social franchising scheme launches

The Social Enterprise Coalition and the School for Social Entrepreneurs have launched Scaling to Success, a new programme designed to support organisations looking to replicate their work through franchising.

Feature

Property VAT traps

Trying to save your charity money by subletting, surrendering or assigning a lease may lead to VAT charges says Amanda Soloman.

Surveys

Complete the Charity Pay Ratio Survey

In response to debate around the introduction of a 'pay ratio' for public sector organisations, Charity Finance guest editor Andrew Hind issues his request for help researching the situation in the charity sector.

Charity Audit Survey 2010

The Charity Audit Survey is a long-established annual review of the charity audit scene identifying the strengths and weaknesses of accountancy firms in this field and allowing charities to assess their auditor's services and fees against those reported by hundreds of other organisations. Diane Sim reports.

Events

Charity Investment Forum 2011
7-8 March 2011

The Charity Awards
9 June 2011
Now open for entries

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They said it...

"I recognize that many charities are finding it hard in the current climate but I don't think that extending transitional relief targets support effectively. We believe the £100m Transition Fund will better target those charities most in need."

(Source: Justine Greening, economic secretary to the Treasury)

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Civil Society eNews Contacts

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