In this month’s policy update, find out more about the Spring Budget, when the next general election could be, Bond’s manifesto, a new report by the Charity Commission and the latest VSCE Barometer results.

Online report launch on Thursday 18 April

Join DSC and Forces and Mind Trust for a free online event on Thursday 18 April to celebrate the launch of their new report: Sector Insight 2024 – Armed Forces Charities: An Overview and Analysis.

This new report paints a clear picture of the impact of Covid-19 and the cost of living crisis on the Armed Forces sector.

The event will include a summary of our latest research findings, exploring the changing characteristics of the Armed Forces charity sector, and a live Q&A panel, delving into the topic of ‘the importance of insightful research and evidence’ for the sector.

We know that banking is one of the most frustrating challenges that voluntary organisations experience. Since 2021, NAVCA have been working closely with partners across the voluntary sector to improve banking services for charities and voluntary organisations.

Together with UK Finance and large high street banks, the Civil Society Group has developed the Voluntary Organisation Banking Guide, a web hub that will launch soon.

But we know that more and better information won’t solve the many challenges that voluntary organisations face with banking.

Respond to their survey to tell them about your experiences of banking. Your story will help them continue to advocate for better banking services for voluntary organisations.

Complete by 15th May. 

The Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) has published new Data Protection Fining Guidance which covers:

• circumstances in which the ICO would consider it appropriate to issue a fine, and
• how the ICO determines the amount of any fine imposed.

The maximum amount of fines has not changed, and still sits at £17.5m or 4% of total annual worldwide turnover.

Charity Digital explore the relationship between climate change and the cost-of-living crisis, arguing that both can be tackled at once.  Economic changes tend to impact decision-making – whether that’s at an individual, corporate, or government level. Right now, that means the cost-of-living crisis is impacting climate action – both by pushing climate action down the agenda, while simultaneously making it ever more urgent to find solutions that are both sustainable and cost-effective.