Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Labour forces devastating jobs tax on charities with heartless eight-word reason

Leigh Brimicombe @leighbrimicombe.bsky.social · Jan 13

More coverage today on the impact of employer national insurance hikes on charities, and the knock on affect it will have for communities across the country.

www.express.co.uk/news/politic...

Voluntary organisations fear National Insurance hike will force them to cut services, but minister says Government will plough on regardless

www.express.co.uk

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Leigh Brimicombe @leighbrimicombe.bsky.social · Dec 9

I grew up in Glastonbury until I moved to uni. Over 20 years later the impact that the festival, and its organisers, have on both local and national level never ceases to amaze me.

Their contribution to arts, culture, music, community and charity can’t be understated.

Third Sector @thirdsector.co.uk · Dec 9

The Glastonbury Festival raised a record of almost £6m for charities and good causes in 2024 through donations and charitable payments

Glastonbury Festival raises record amount for charity

Organisers say the almost £6m raised has gone to charities including the Somerset NHS Charity, Oxfam and WaterAid

Lisa Nandy criticised by ex-charities minister over sector’s £1.4bn NICs hike

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Leigh Brimicombe @leighbrimicombe.bsky.social · Nov 29

Our estimate on the cost of employer national insurance contribution increases has made its way to the commons floor.

While increases won’t come into force until next year, charities are already having to make big decisions to prepare. Ultimately that means less services for communities in need.

Civil Society @civilsociety.bsky.social · Nov 29

Culture secretary Lisa Nandy has been criticised by former civil society minister Stuart Andrew over the government’s hike in employer national insurance contributions (NICs) in a debate in parliament yesterday.

Charities will not be exempt from employer National Insurance hike, Chancellor confirms

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Reposted by Leigh Brimicombe

Third Sector @thirdsector.co.uk · Nov 26

In a letter to NCVO and @acevo.bsky.social, Rachel Reeves confirmed the government's decision to provide exemptions to public sector employers only and not to charities

The rise in employer NI contributions are expected to cost the sector £1.4bn per year

Chancellor responds to our open letter on the impact of increased employer National Insurance Contributions for charities

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Leigh Brimicombe @leighbrimicombe.bsky.social · Nov 26

After the budget, more than 7,300 charities signed our letter with @acevo.bsky.social to the Chancellor.

Today, we received a reply. Our full statement in response, and the letter, is available online now 👇🏻

www.ncvo.org.uk/news-and-ins...

www.ncvo.org.uk

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Leigh Brimicombe @leighbrimicombe.bsky.social · Nov 24

It’s vital that we take this opportunity reset the relationship with government & build a constructive framework for how we work together.

No, we won’t always agree, but it’s crucial the voluntary sector has a seat at the table when policy is developed.

www.thirdsector.co.uk/government-w...

Government 'won't agree on everything' with the charity sector but wants to work with it, minister says

Stephanie Peacock, the Minister for Civil Society, hopes the government's forthcoming civil society covenant will enable the charity sector to be an equal partner in delivering a decade of renewal

Mismanagement of Captain Tom Foundation 'does not reflect the hard work of thousands of charities', leaders say

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Reposted by Leigh Brimicombe

Third Sector @thirdsector.co.uk · Nov 22

The circumstances of the case are 'very unique', charity leaders say

The circumstances of the case are 'very unique', charity leaders say

Charities urged to consider reputational risks of not campaigning

Leigh Brimicombe @leighbrimicombe.bsky.social · Nov 20

Charity campaigning is often criticised, but the Charity Commission has consistently reaffirmed its legitimacy. At our pre-election hustings, all major political parties agreed. The PM has also defended the right to campaign.

In many instances it’s the only way a charity can achieve its missions.

Civil Society @civilsociety.bsky.social · Nov 20

Craig Bennett, chief executive of the Wildlife Trusts, said at Bates Wells’ annual charity conference that there are always risks when charities campaign to achieve change. But charities need to be bold and firm when campaigning, he said, and stick to their fundamental charitable objectives.

Small charities facing ‘greater financial strain’ as public donations fall

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Leigh Brimicombe @leighbrimicombe.bsky.social · Nov 20

We launched the 2024 Civil Society Almanac today.

Some really interesting trends and changes to how our sector is funded. It’s fair to say things aren’t settling. Small charities continue to be hardest hit, and government funding has declined.

Check it out and let me know your big takeaways!

Third Sector @thirdsector.co.uk · Nov 20

The 2024 Civil Society Almanac found that for organisations with an annual income of less than £1m, which make up 80 per cent of the sector, the proportion of their income that came from public donations more than halved in just a year

But the sector's overall income was up 9 per cent to £69.1bn in 2021/22, new figures from NCVO show

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Leigh Brimicombe @leighbrimicombe.bsky.social · Nov 19

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

RSPB announces retail closures and redundancies amid rising cost pressures

Leigh Brimicombe @leighbrimicombe.bsky.social · Nov 19

Last year we raised the alarm on the ‘cost of giving crisis’ affecting the sector. Costs continue to climb, and this story is further proof that the crisis is far from over.

Some charities can survive challenges like these, thousands can’t. And it will be already hard-hit communities that suffer.

Civil Society @civilsociety.bsky.social · Nov 19

. @rspb.bsky.social is planning to close shops and make redundancies at some of its nature reserves due to rising cost pressures, it has announced

More than three-quarters of leading charities state they offer flexible working, research suggests

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Leigh Brimicombe @leighbrimicombe.bsky.social · Nov 19

If like me you work in charity comms and campaigning, check out this fab starter pack as a great way to start getting connected! Thanks @freyabarnes.bsky.social for pulling together!👇🏻

Freya Barnes @freyabarnes.bsky.social · Nov 19

I've been followed by so many fab third sector folk lately thanks to being included in a starter pack and thought I'd share the love around.

So here's one of all the people out there shouting about social change - my fellow third sector comms people and campaigners

go.bsky.app/DBMtM8Y

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Leigh Brimicombe @leighbrimicombe.bsky.social · Nov 18

The Civil Society Almanac, launching this week, shows almost 40% of sector staff work remotely or hybrid. That’s higher than both public and private sectors.

www.thirdsector.co.uk/three-quarte...

The findings come from Third Sector’s first Charity Employer Index, which ranks 50 leading charities on their publicly available workplace benefits and policies

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Leigh Brimicombe @leighbrimicombe.bsky.social · Nov 16

When you take a pic of your dog and realise you’ve somehow made her look like the girl with the pearl earring

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Leigh Brimicombe @leighbrimicombe.bsky.social · Nov 16

I agree, feeling so much more positive here. Perhaps it’s time for me to do some test and learn! It’s definitely encouraging to see so much of the sector coming over 💪🏻

Leigh Brimicombe @leighbrimicombe.bsky.social · Nov 16

I agree. I’m hearing from a lot of our partners that they’re focussing on already established / “professional” channels. What I love about here is the chance to have more reactive opportunities for telling the important stories of the sector.

Leigh Brimicombe @leighbrimicombe.bsky.social · Nov 16

So interesting! Still so early that it feels like leaving some of your friends in the pub and going somewhere else because you don’t like the landlord. Am hoping all our friends come too to make it easier!

UK’s first charity donation vending machines installed

Leigh Brimicombe @leighbrimicombe.bsky.social · Nov 16

In all the excitement of BlueSky, am wondering if any other charity / comms people out there are struggling with idea of giving up an active and large X following?

It’s a real challenge to add another channel, especially when resources and teams are already stretched.

All thoughts welcome!

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Leigh Brimicombe @leighbrimicombe.bsky.social · Nov 15

Btw, if you haven’t already - you can sign up to see hear the headlines from the Alamanc. Launch event is next Weds morning…. Not one to miss!

booking.ncvo.org.uk/event/sessio...

Event Management

booking.ncvo.org.uk

Leigh Brimicombe @leighbrimicombe.bsky.social · Nov 15

NCVO’s UK Civil Society Almanac launches next week, and the data shows that public donations are falling.

Great to see innovations, like this vending machine, being trialled to help create new ways for public to give.

Can’t wait to see the results!

www.civilsociety.co.uk/news/uk-s-fi...

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Leigh Brimicombe @leighbrimicombe.bsky.social · Nov 14

Amazing, thanks so much for this @howardlake.bsky.social! Really getting the sense of how much more supportive and engaged Bluesky is already! Love it!

Leigh Brimicombe @leighbrimicombe.bsky.social · Nov 14

Amazing, so glad we’ve been able to connect! Let’s keep in touch!

Civil Society Covenant: Join an online workshop to help shape the sector's relationship with government

Leigh Brimicombe @leighbrimicombe.bsky.social · Nov 14

Want to change the way civil society works with UK government?

Now’s your chance! We need as many people as possible to join one of our many online workshops.

Share your views as we work with others across the sector to develop the Civil Society Covenant.

www.ncvo.org.uk/news-and-ins...

www.ncvo.org.uk

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Leigh Brimicombe @leighbrimicombe.bsky.social · Nov 14

This was such a brilliant first resource for me, thanks so much! I’m really enjoying scoping out the platform, it’s great to see so much of the sector is here and enjoying it!