Charities
This page highlights some of the current parliamentary material available on charities. This includes select committee reports, briefing papers on current legislation and other subjects produced by the parliamentary research services, and the latest Early Day Motions put down by MPs.
Standard Notes
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 17.07.2013 | Gift Aid scheme for small donations |
| In the 2012 Budget the Government announced proposals to introduce a new scheme, to be introduced from April 2013, to allow charities to claim additional payments on small donations - equivalent to the way they may claim tax relief on donations made under Gift Aid. This note gives some background to the scheme and the legislation to put it in place. | |
| 03.05.2013 | Bogus charity clothing collections |
| Many charities legitimately collect unwanted items of clothing to raise funds for their cause. However, constituents sometimes raise concerns about organisations which appear to be collecting clothing for a charitable cause but are not in fact registered charities. Some people feel that they are being misled by advertising pamphlets. There have also been problems with the theft of clothing bags left out for collection. | |
| 21.03.2013 | The voluntary sector and the Big Society |
| This note provides further information on the role of the voluntary and community sector and outlines some of the Government's initiatives in this area. | |
| 20.02.2013 | 'Chuggers': face-to-face charity fundraising |
| 'Chuggers' (charity muggers) is a term sometimes used to describe those involved in face-to-face fundraising where people are asked to sign direct debits to charity, often on the street. Charities and other organisations which use this method of fundraising do not use the term 'chuggers' and instead refer to 'face-to-face' or 'F2F' fundraising. | |
| 04.01.2013 | Funding for charities and other voluntary organisations |
| This standard note looks at some of the funding routes available to charities and other voluntary organisations. |
Research Papers
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 20.11.2012 | Small Charitable Donations Bill : Committee Stage Report |
| The Small Charitable Donations Bill introduces the Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme (GASDS). | |
| 02.11.2012 | Trusts (Capital and Income) Bill [HL] |
| The Trusts (Capital and Income) Bill [HL] is based substantially on a draft bill prepared by the Law Commission. It is following the special procedure which applies to Law Commission bills. The Bill deals with technical and complex matters relating to trust law where trustees have to distinguish between capital and income in their management of the trust property. It is supported by the Opposition and by professional groups. | |
| 14.08.2012 | Small Charitable Donations Bill |
| The Small Charitable Donations Bill introduces the Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme (GASDS) which was announced at Budget 2011. | |
| 15.03.2006 | The Charities Bill [HL] |
| 12.04.2001 | Taxation of charities |
| A number of changes were introduced from April 2000 in charity taxation 'to encourage more individuals and businesses to give more, and to make the taxation system simpler for donors and charities to use' (Cm 4479 November 1999 p 90). These measures grew out of a consultation exercise on charity taxation launched at the time of the July 1997 Budget, followed by the Treasury's publication of Review of Charity Taxation: a consultation document in March 1999. This paper provides a summary of the tax reliefs charities now enjoy, and some background to the 1997 review. |
Early Day Motions
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 16.01.2012 | KELLOGGS AND FOODBANK |
| That this House congratulates Kelloggs for its support of foodbanks around the UK; notes that in 2011, Kelloggs supported foodbanks across the UK with 25 tonnes of food, equating to ... | |
| 10.01.2012 | UNIQUE KIDS |
| That this House notes that Unique Kids was established as a charity in 2009; further notes that it provides play and social activities for children with disabilities through an after ... | |
| 12.12.2011 | INDEPENDENT COMMISSION FOR THE LOCATION OF VICTIMS' REMAINS |
| That this House recognises the work of the Independent Commission for the Location of Victims' Remains (ICLVR) and the closure it brings to many families whose relatives have been recovered; ... | |
| 09.11.2011 | BRIGHTON-BASED CHARITY RHYTHMIX AND THE X FACTOR |
| That this House notes that Rhythmix is the name of a small Brighton-based charity providing music-making opportunities to vulnerable youngsters; welcomes the decision by the entertainment ... | |
| 02.11.2011 | COMPANIONSHIP AT CHRISTMAS |
| That this House commends the remarkable work of the Companionship at Christmas campaign, run by the charity Abbeyfield, which aims to improve the quality of life for older people by ... |
Lords Library Notes
| Date | Description |
|---|---|
| 26.11.2010 | Debate on 2nd December 2010: philanthropy. LLN 2010/029 |
| Debate on 2nd December 2010: philanthropy. House of Lords Library Note 2010/029 | |
| 01.10.2010 | Debate on 5 October 2010: The charitable sector and civil society. LLN 2010/020 |
| Debate on 5 October 2010: The charitable sector and civil society. House of Lords Library Note 2010/020 |
