DSC Policy Update - week commencing 22 March 2021

National Audit Office investigation into funding

The National Audit Office have published the ‘Investigation into government funding to charities during the COVID – 19 pandemic’. The investigation found that: 92% of government funds had been distributed by February 2021 which means millions of pounds was still not distributed; the government reduced the money given to the National Lottery Community Fund from £310 million to £200 million shortly before the fund began accepting applications; from the Community Match Challenge minsters allocated money to three funders who officials ‘were unsure if they were eligible’; an estimated £614,000 has been awarded to fraudulent applications; and, of course, the government funding schemes were heavily oversubscribed. Read Jay Kennedy’s response to the report here.

No action against the National Trust

The Charity Commission have found no grounds for regulatory action against the National Trust, after the trust being scrutinised for months. The Charity Commission concluded that the trust ‘did not breach charity law, and… the National Trust has been able to demonstrate that its work to examine links between its properties and histories of colonialism and slavery was carefully considered, and that it fitted within its charitable objects.’

Kew Gardens ‘woke agenda’

The director of Kew Gardens, Richard Deverell, has also hit back at claims against its ‘woke agenda’ after outlining in its ten-year manifesto that a priority is having honest conversations about its links to imperialism and colonialism.  Richard Deverell says there is ‘no acceptable neutral position’ on history of colonialism and racism.

‘Certain in uncertain times’ campaign

• The Charity Commission have launched a campaign to help charity trustees be ‘certain in uncertain times’. Short animated videos have been circulated around social media, directing people to 5-minute guides to read, with the aim of helping trustees refresh their knowledge of charity governance.

Creating a non-toxic culture

And lastly, Debra Allcock Tyler, DSC CEO, has written about building a positive work environment in her latest article ‘Creating a non-toxic culture’, something that we at DSC are proud of.