Autumn Budget Analysis from DSC

Autumn Budget 2025 – Christmas cheer or bah humbug? It’s up for debate!

Hot off the press, our new article by Jay Kennedy, Director of Policy and Research at DSC, delves into the turbulent Budget season filled with leaks and uncertainty, which left charities questioning whether to anticipate positive changes or unwelcome challenges.

Jay outlines the promising measures announced in the Budget, such as the removal of the two-child limit and new VAT relief, while also addressing ongoing concerns like impending tax and compliance reforms. Read the full analysis here.

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Charities Encouraged to Sign a Donor Code of Conduct pledge

The Chartered Institute of Fundraising, in collaboration with fundraising think tank Rogare, has called on charities across the UK to pledge to create and enforce a Donor Code of Conduct aimed at protecting fundraisers from inappropriate behaviour by donors or supporters. Find out more here.

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Chancellor of the Exchequer: Autumn Budget 2025

 

The Charity Finance Group is undertaking a short survey to understand how charities currently use salary sacrifice arrangements, particularly for pension contributions. This information is critically important because there are strong indications that the Chancellor may announce a cap of £2,000 per year on salary sacrifice contributions for pensions in the upcoming Autumn Budget. Complete the survey here.

 

Ahead of the Autumn Budget set to be published at the end of the month, the Civil Society Group, which includes DSC, has written to the government on behalf of charities and community organisations across the UK. Take a look at what we said here.

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Building a Strong Case for Support: The 6 Questions Every Charity Must Answer

Whether you’re launching a new campaign, applying for a grant, or engaging major donors, one thing is certain: your case for support needs to be clear, compelling, and credible. Read more.

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Charities Refuse to Comply with Home Secretary’s Migrant Volunteering Plan

Over 300 charities and voluntary organisations have signed a letter to the home secretary, declaring their refusal to support her “immoral and impractical” plan to implement a volunteering “test” for migrants seeking indefinite leave to remain in the UK. Read more in this Civil Society article here.

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Grove Neighbourhood Centre – Christmas Raffle & Fayre

You can now purchase raffle tickets from our office at the GNC, which will be drawn at our Christmas Fayre on the 6th December.

Xmas Raffle

Xmas Fayre

 

 

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The Charity Governance Code – Updated!

The Charity Governance Code – that familiar backbone of good board practice – has been revised for 2025. What’s changed? Find out here.

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Minister Hails ‘Clearer Requirements’ as New Fundraising Code Takes Effect

The revised Code of Fundraising Practice has come into force this month, with civil society’s Stephanie Peacock commending its “more transparent guidelines regarding digital donations”. Learn more here.

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Julia Unwin Named as Government’s Choice for Next Charity Commission Chair

The government has chosen Julia Unwin, an experienced leader in the sector, as its preferred candidate for the role of Charity Commission chair. Unwin, who served as chief executive of the Joseph Rowntree Foundation for nine years and chaired the Civil Society Futures inquiry in 2018, is set to face pre-appointment scrutiny by MPs on the Culture, Media and Sport select committee on Tuesday 25 November. Learn more here.

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Consultation Update: Bus Routes 72 & 283

We would like to thank everyone who shared their views during the consultation.

After carefully reviewing all the feedback and looking again at the proposals, we’ve decided to go ahead with changes to routes 283, 72, and N72.

This means route 283 will be withdrawn, and routes 72 and N72 will be re-routed to serve White City Estate.

We understand this may not be the outcome some of you were hoping for. To help address concerns raised – particularly around longer wait times and safety in the evenings – we’re making some changes:

•  Route 272 will run more frequently in the evenings, increasing from every 30 minutes to every 15 minutes – this is still subject to discussions with operators

•  Route 72 will also see more frequent services in the mornings and all day on Sundays, going from every 15 minutes to every 12 minutes

These changes are planned to start from 13 December 2025, with the increased evening frequency on route 272 expected to follow in February 2026, allowing time for the operator to bring in additional vehicles.

Thank you again to everyone that took part in the consultation.

 

Geoff Hobbs

Director, Public Transport Service Planning

Transport for London

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