Our weekly roundup of news and updates from across the sector.
To help you navigate this week’s content, the links below will take you straight to content by topic.
- Charity Commission
- Governance
- Finance
- Sector general
- Climate change and environment
- Equity, equality, diversity and inclusion
- Safeguarding
- Freedom of information
- Philanthropy
- Reparations
- Funders and funding
- Fundraising
- Data and privacy
- AI
- Public procurement and subsidy control
- Company law
- Northern Ireland
- Health and social care
- Social enterprise
- Social investment / social impact investment
- International development
- Education
Charity Commission
The Charity Commission has updated its charity accounts guidance to reflect the introduction of SORP 2026 and changes to accounting thresholds which come into effect on 30 September 2026 and apply to financial years ending on or after 30 September 2026. The Commission has also made amendments to its guidance on preparing annual reports and annual returns.
Public Administration and Constitutional Affairs Committee (PACAC) – Report and recommendations
The House of Commons has endorsed a report’s conclusions and recommendations about the Parliamentary Commissioner for Administration’s rulings against the Charity Commission in respect of the Commission’s handling of safeguarding concerns. The report had concluded the Commission committed a contempt of Parliament.
Governance
The Association of Chairs has updated its free guide “A Question of Balance” which is a guide to the chair – CEO relationship.
Following a recent panel event we hosted about the refreshed Charity Governance Code, Mark Abbott and Simon Steeden have shared a blog summarising key takeaways. This includes comments from Radojka Miljevic, Independent Chair of the Code Steering Group and Mo Wiltshire, Senior Governance Consultant at NCVO.
Finance
Charity Finance is seeking feedback on specialist accountancy firms serving the charity sector as part of its 2026 Charity Audit Survey. The survey closes on 9 October.
Sector general
Civil Society has reported that Vicky Foxcroft MP will serve as Minister for Civil Society, with responsibility for civil society policy moving to her portfolio within the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport. Responsibility for the Office for the Impact Economy now sits with Stephanie Peacock MP (the previous minister for civil society).
Community Foundation North East has launched a new interactive online platform for its 2025 Third Sector Trends study. This enables users to explore and visualise data on the voluntary, community and social enterprise sector in England and Wales.
Climate change and environment
NPC, in partnership with Green Alliance and ACEVO, has published a report exploring “how civil society organisations, funders and policymakers can work differently with communities to achieve lasting environmental and social change”.
Equity, equality, diversity and inclusion
As you may have seen in the press, the government has launched a national taskforce to “tackle the rise of misogyny”.
Safeguarding
See “Education” below in relation to safeguarding checks when employing carers, tutors and other helpers.
Freedom of information
Rupert Earle and James Davies have shared a summary of the Upper Tribunal’s recent decision in Cruelty Free International v Information Commissioner and Home Office, which held that UK law includes a right (under Article 10 of the European Convention on Human Rights) to receive information, so increasing the likelihood of securing disclosure of information by public authorities in significant public interest cases. The decision matters for journalists, authors, researchers and bloggers contesting public authorities citing exemptions from disclosure under the Freedom of Information Act 2000 and the Environmental Information Regulations 2004 and those seeking information from public bodies under a common law right of access to information.
Philanthropy
Philanthropy Impact has shared research comparing funding experiences in Germany and the UK, which found “striking similarities in what charities want from funders, including longer-term, unrestricted funding, greater transparency and meaningful feedback”.
Lombard Odier has published research on generational trends in philanthropy, which found that younger donors in the UK are more likely to focus on impact, measurable outcomes, and long-term sustainability in their giving.
Reparations
Civil Society has highlighted comments from Keon West, Head of Reparations at the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust, speaking on reparations at the recent Faith Charities Forum. West described reparations work as a “difficult and iterative process” and called for a “collaborative, community-oriented approach” centred on affected communities.
Funders and funding
A series of helpful FAQs from Alice Faure Walker explains what restricted funds and endowments are, why they are set up, and how charities can unlock them.
Civil Society has highlighted that a “record” £370m will be given to the National Lottery Community Fund through the UK’s Dormant Assets Scheme following changes to the scheme’s distribution policy, taking the total amount distributed to good causes through the scheme to more than £1.6bn.
Fundraising
Charity Finance Group has published an article “Fewer donors, higher expectations – what charities can learn from recent reports”.
The Gambling Commission has shared its industry statistics annual report for the financial year running April 2025 to March 2026. ‘Good causes’ received £1.6 billion from The National Lottery and £498.5 million from large society lotteries (both a 2.8% increase on the previous year).
Data and privacy
The government has confirmed that from 30 September, the functions of the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO) will transfer to a newly established statutory body corporate, the Information Commission. This is a change introduced by the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025. In the short-term, we understand the new regulator will be referred to as the ICO but that could change.
Rayhaan Vankalwala explains: “The main implication of this change is that decision-making as part of the new Information Commission (including the direction of data protection regulation in the UK), will be determined by a group of individuals rather than one Information Commissioner (as has been the case to date). As things stand, we don’t anticipate that this will have any real impact on organisations or the way in which data protection is regulated or enforced in the UK. However, it remains to be seen whether that will change as the Information Commission takes steps to articulate and implement its strategy moving forward. We will of course continue to monitor the Information Commission’s progress and activity.”
A small practical point is that any data sharing agreements or provisions should (as of 1 October 2026) refer to the ‘Information Commission’ rather than the Information Commissioner’s Office.
The ICO has also reported on this change. For other changes under the 2025 Act, see our June 2026 refresher of developments to date.
Following the Supreme Court case of Department for Business and Trade v The Information Commissioner, the ICO has updated its guidance on the public interest test. This test is used by public authorities when deciding if they will withhold information when there is a qualified exemption under the Freedom of Information Act. The ICO explains that the Supreme Court case “confirmed that where multiple qualified exemptions are engaged by the same information, the public interest factors supporting those exemptions can be considered cumulatively when weighing them against the combined public interest in favour of disclosure.” The ICO also reminds us that it has a summary guide to the public interest test available.
AI
Paul Jennings and Peter Kerr-Davis reflect on the employment law implications when AI is used a management tool. They explain how some employers are experimenting with algorithmic tools to shortlist candidates, score interviews, allocate shifts, forecast demand, monitor productivity, flag performance issues, support redundancy exercises and even trigger investigations and dismissal processes.
Public procurement and subsidy control
A new Framework Practice Guide has been published as developed across government commercial, centralised procurement authorities and local contracting authorities. The guide sets a single standard for the whole framework lifecycle, covering why and how frameworks are set up, how buyers should use them, and management in compliance with Procurement Act 2023 legislation.
Company law
First court action for identity verification offences brought by the Insolvency Service – three directors have been fined at City of London Magistrates’ Court for identity verification offences under the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023. Two directors (despite being given multiple opportunities to comply with the verification requirements) continued to act as directors while unverified. A third director failed to take reasonable steps to prevent a fellow director from continuing to act as a director while unverified. All three were also convicted in connection with their company’s failure to file its confirmation statement. Companies House and the Insolvency Service have said that these convictions serve as a warning to directors that identity verification is not optional and that directors risk prosecution if they fail to verify their identity.
Northern Ireland
See ‘Social enterprise’ below.
Health and social care
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has reflected on progress one year on from the Oliver McGowan Code of Practice. The code details how the CQC expects registered health and care providers to meet the mandatory training requirement on learning disability and autism.
The Public Panel on Social care is part of the Big Conversation on Care, being run by the Independent Commission on Adult Social Care, chaired by Baroness Louise Casey of Blackstock. This week, households across England (selected at random) will begin receiving letters inviting people aged 18 and over to register their interest in joining the panel. Around 125 people will ultimately be selected to take part. The Public Panel will meet in person over several weekends between November 2026 and April 2027 in Birmingham and London, as well as convening for shorter online sessions. People who receive a letter can register by Sunday 11 October using the details provided in their invitation.
Also see “Education” below in relation to safeguarding checks when employing carers.
Social enterprise
Co-operatives UK has announced that its CEO, Rose Marley, has been elected as an “At-Large Director” of the International Co-operative Alliance (ICA) for the 2026-2030 term. The role will see Marley continue to contribute to the ICA’s work as the global body representing co-operatives worldwide.
The Department for the Economy in Northern Ireland has launched an open call for proposals to deliver activity under its Social Enterprise Support Programme, aiming to strengthen the social enterprise sector across Northern Ireland. Organisations can apply individually or through consortium arrangements to deliver support focused on areas including leadership, investment support, procurement, and access to growth for the social enterprise sector in Northern Ireland. Applications close on 30 October 2026. (From the announcement, there does not appear to be any restriction on applicants being based in other parts of the UK.)
Social investment / social impact investment
The GOV.UK page for the Better Futures Fund has been updated with information on Round 1 funding and details on applying. The webpage notes that Round 1, delivered by Social Investment Business, opened for applications on 9 September and will remain open until midnight on 23 September 2026. Round 1 aims to support a small number of ‘pathfinder’ projects.
International development
Bond has reviewed figures on UK Official Development Assistance 2025 spending from the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office and reports that “funding for middle- and upper-middle income countries increased, while least-developed and low-income countries saw a decrease in UK aid”.
Education
General
The Department for Education (DfE) has convened education, industry and local government leaders to help shape reforms aimed at strengthening technical education and preparing young people for work. Discussions focused on vocational education reforms from age 14, work experience opportunities and making the most of devolved funding for 16 to 19-year-olds. The summit was presented as the first of a series of regular gatherings intended to place local expertise at the heart of reforms and support efforts to reduce the number of young people not in education, employment or training.
Ofsted has updated its Education Inspection Framework, which sets out the principles and main evaluations used when inspecting registered early years settings, maintained schools, academies, non-association independent schools and further education and skills provision in England. The renewed framework followed a consultation held between February and April 2025 and was updated on 18 September 2026 to include education, skills and work activities in prisons and young offender institutions.
The Disclosure and Barring Service has launched its new “Every Check Helps” campaign to encourage parents and carers to consider DBS information when hiring self-employed workers and personal employees. While relevant to those engaging tutors, sports coaches and music teachers, the campaign also applies more broadly to individuals hiring personal assistants, carers and others working with children or vulnerable adults. It follows legislative changes introduced in January 2026 allowing eligible self-employed workers to apply for Enhanced DBS checks and, where appropriate, barred list checks.
Schools
The DfE has announced a major overhaul of school food standards, the first update in over a decade. The reforms will increase the provision of fruit, vegetables and fibre-rich foods and limit foods high in fat, salt and sugar. Schools will also be expected to publish their food policies and menus online and nominate a school food governor. The updated standards form part of the government’s wider programme of school food reforms and are expected to come into force from September 2027.
The government has announced a £22.5 million investment to expand access to enrichment activities for pupils in disadvantaged communities. More than 400 secondary schools will receive funding and tailored support through the Enrichment Expansion Programme to increase opportunities such as sports, music, debating, volunteering and outdoor learning. Funded by the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport and delivered in partnership with the DfE, the programme forms part of the government’s wider ambition to reduce inequalities in access to enrichment activities and support young people’s engagement, wellbeing and future opportunities.
The DfE has confirmed a multi-year teacher pay award following acceptance of the School Teachers’ Review Body’s recommendations. Teachers and school leaders will receive a 3.5% pay increase from September 2026, followed by a further 3% increase from September 2027. The government has announced £1.8 billion of additional funding for schools over two years to support pay rises for teachers and support staff, although schools will be expected to fund the first 1% of each award from their existing budgets.
The National Governance Association has published an article encouraging governing boards to adopt a whole-school approach to inclusion in light of recent policy developments, including proposed SEND reforms and Ofsted’s renewed inspection framework. The article suggests that governors and trustees should consider who their pupils are, the barriers they may face, and how effectively their school responds to changing needs, with a view to embedding inclusion across areas such as SEND, attendance, behaviour, enrichment and family engagement.
Higher Education
The Office for Students (OfS) has launched a prototype Higher Education Market Monitoring Tool to help universities, colleges and regional planners identify gaps in provision and understand the geography of higher education across the student lifecycle. The tool brings together data on matters including applications, where students study, graduate destinations and research activity, with the aim of supporting strategic planning and helping higher education provision respond to regional skills needs and demand from local employers.
The OfS has launched a consultation on guidance accompanying two new freedom of speech regulatory conditions for higher education providers. The conditions, which will apply to all OfS-registered universities and colleges from 1 April 2027, relate to compliance with existing legal duties concerning freedom of speech and academic freedom. The consultation seeks views on draft guidance to help institutions interpret and comply with the conditions, including guidance on the duty to promote the importance of freedom of speech and academic freedom.
Disclaimer – The information contained in this update is not intended to be a comprehensive update – it is our selection of the website announcements made in the last week which we think will be of interest to charities and social enterprises. The views expressed in items we’ve included are the views of the named authors/sources, and should not be taken to be the views of Bates Wells, its partners or employees. The content in this update is necessarily of a general nature – specific advice should always be sought for specific situations.