Covid-19 immigration concessions for family and private life applications

The Home Office recently updated its Covid-19 related concessions for those applying to enter or remain in the UK on the basis of family or private life. The key concessions are now: Switching into a family or private life route from within the UK Up to 31 August 2020 those in the UK as a …
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FAQs on the UK Government’s coronavirus quarantine rules

Since 8 June 2020, many people arriving in the UK need to provide their contact details and self-isolate for the first 14 days of their entry to the UK.   There are separate regulations in place in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. More information about the different rules for each nation is available here. Who …
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Landmark decision of the Supreme Court that charities can justify a restriction to their beneficiary class under the Equality Act

Update On 16 October 2020, the Supreme Court ruled that in certain circumstances, charities are able to restrict their beneficiary class under the Equality Act 2010 (“the Act”) even if it would otherwise be discriminatory.  The case will be of interest to faith-based organisations and other charities that provide services to limited groups of beneficiaries …
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Bates Wells hosts Danny Kruger MP to discuss Levelling Up Our Communities report recommendations

Danny Kruger MP joined Bates Wells partner Luke Fletcher to discuss his recent report, Levelling up our communities: proposals for a new social covenant, as well as discussing the charity and political landscape. The recently-launched report sets out a vision for a more local, more human, less bureaucratic, less centralised society in which people are …
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New visa application system – The Student Route

From 9am on 5 October, applications via the old Tier 4 (General) and Tier 4 (Child) visas were closed to new applications. The new system – the Student Route – is the first taste some migrants will have of the UK’s new points-based immigration system. It includes important changes for those wishing to study in …
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No Autumn Budget – What impact will this have on Capital Gains Tax?

No autumn Budget – a knock-on effect from the Coronavirus pandemic Typically, the Government would reflect on the state of the country’s financial situation and propose forthcoming tax changes in its Autumn Budget. This year is different in many ways and the effect the Coronavirus has on nearly every aspect of our life did not …
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The people building back better: the workforce in a purpose-driven economy

In the wake of the pandemic, many are questioning our social contract with business, in part due to it having highlighted insecurity and inequality in the labour market. However, the pandemic also presents the chance to re-build a more inclusive economy. Whilst some businesses are hitting the news for short treatment of their workforce, others …
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Serious incident reports and global events

The Charity Commission requires trustees to report all serious incidents. Suhan Rajkumar and Jennifer Chong remind charities when and how to make a report.
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Energy reporting requirements and what they may mean for charities

As a result of the EU’s focus on reducing the effects of climate change, the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme and the Streamlined Energy Carbon Reporting were brought into force in 2019. The UK’s climate response As a result of concerns relating to the global climate change crisis, Europe aims to become the world’s first climate-neutral …
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Pioneers Post: Louise Harman & Sung-Hyui Park on 5 ways impact investors can deal with COVID-19

Louise Harman, partner and co-head of the impact economy team and Sung-Hyui Park, senior associate in our impact economy team have recently written for Pioneers Post on ways that impact investors can deal with the dilemma caused by COVID-19. In the article, Louise and Sung-Hyui discuss how the coronavirus isn’t just affecting social businesses and charities, but how …
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Why does my biometric residence permit (BRP) expire on 31 December 2024?

For some years now, those granted indefinite leave to remain have been issued with a BRP that is due to expire on 31 December 2024. Since January 2020, those granted limited leave for a period of 5 years have also been given BRPs that expire on 31 December 2024, despite leave being granted for a …
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Collaboration – strength in numbers?

We know that many trustees will be sitting in (Zoom) board meetings, reflecting on sobering financial forecasts, faced with the difficult task of deciding where their charity should go from here. If this is you, then the possibility of collaborative working should definitely be on your radar. Collaboration can be a critical part of maximising …
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