The latest Charity Commission news and updates as of May 2025.
Charity Commission CEO David Holdsworth discusses the power of philanthropy at The Beacon Philanthropy and Impact Forum 2025.
Philanthropy: Igniting the spark of renewal – GOV.UK
The joint SORP-making body has launched a public consultation on the next version of the charities accounting and reporting framework.
Updated SORP: charities encouraged to respond to consultation and be ready for change – GOV.UK
The Charity Commission has given its formal permission for the most valuable object donation in British museum history to go ahead.
£1bn gift transfer to British Museum given green light – GOV.UK
Being a trustee is generally a voluntary role. This is what makes the charity sector unique and promotes trust and confidence in charities.
Sometimes, charities pay trustees. This guidance series is about different types of trustee payments or benefits. Read the right guidance if you are thinking about paying a trustee, or a person or organisation connected to a trustee. It sets out the risks and the rules you must follow.
Charities paying a trustee or a connected person: understand the rules (CC11) – GOV.UK
The Charity Commission today published redesigned guidance on paying trustees, with a continued emphasis on the principle of voluntary service.
Primacy of voluntary trusteeship stressed in new payment guidance – GOV.UK
New research from the Charity Commission and Pro Bono Economics finds trustees are “immensely positive” about their experience.
New research from the Charity Commission and Pro Bono Economics finds trustees are “immensely positive” about their experience.
The charity regulator for England and Wales, with think tank and social sector research organisation, Pro Bono Economics, has published the findings of the most comprehensive survey ever undertaken of trustee motivations and skills.
The research finds that the vast majority of trustees are “immensely positive” about their experience, with eight in ten trustees likely to recommend the role to others. Most trustees feel positive about board dynamics, and their relationships with staff and volunteers.
Regulator reveals insights from large-scale trustee research project – GOV.UK
David Holdsworth delivers speech at Trustee Exchange 2025
The treasure of trusteeship – GOV.UK
Finding and appointing new trustees (CC30)
Guidance and information about how you can:
- identify the skills and experience that your trustee board needs
- write role descriptions and advertise to find new trustees
- run an effective induction for new trustees.
Finding and appointing new trustees (CC30) – GOV.UK
Trustee board: people and skills
Trustee board: people and skills – GOV.UK
Statutory Inquiries
The Charity Commission has launched a statutory class inquiry into several charities and issued orders to temporarily restrict the issuing of cheques.
Serious concerns over use of £22 million triggers investigation by charity regulator – GOV.UK
The regulator for charities in England and Wales has opened a regulatory compliance case to examine concerns raised about the charity Sentebale.
The regulator’s focus, in line with its statutory remit, will be to determine whether the charity’s current and former trustees, including its chair, have fulfilled their duties and responsibilities under charity law.
Sentebale: Commission opens compliance case to assess concerns raised about the charity – GOV.UK
The Charity Commission has opened a statutory inquiry into CG Community Council (registered charity 502955) to look into concerns about its governance and financial management.
Regulator investigates charity’s property and governance issues – GOV.UK
The Charity Commission has opened a statutory inquiry into The C J M Charitable Trust.
The charity was placed in the Commission’s ‘double defaulter’ class inquiry for charities that have failed to file their annual documents for two or more years in the last five years.
Regulator investigates charity over persistent failure to submit accounts on time – GOV.UK
The Charity Commission has issued the Islamic Centre of England Limited with a formal Order under Section 84 of the Charities Act, compelling the trustees to provide rigorous oversight of future speakers and online activity by the charity among other actions.
Regulator orders reform to governance at Islamic Centre of England – GOV.UK
Wider Sector Updates
Most members of the general public think that either the Charity Commission or the government is responsible for the activities carried out by individual charities, according to data from nfpResearch.
The study, from March this year, found that only 15% of people think that trustees are responsible and accountable for the actions of individual charities, including their direction and strategy.
Members of public think regulator or government run charities, study finds
Charity sector bodies have welcomed the government’s announcement of new protections against bank accounts being closed with limited notice or reasons given.
Banks will be required to give customers 90 days’ notice before closing accounts and provide a clear explanation, under new rules announced by the Treasury this week.
Charities welcome government plans for new debanking protections
Charitable giving by UK’s wealthiest up £500m, Sunday Times Giving List shows
‘Political’ conversion therapy group’s charity registration rejection upheld
Small voluntary organisations play a vital role across the sector. Whether working locally, nationally or internationally, they are embedded in communities of place, identity and experience. They respond quickly to needs, build trusted relationships and often support people who are overlooked elsewhere. But despite their impact, the systems designed to support them often don’t work as they should.
The Power of Small: championing small organisations across the sector | NCVO
The UK charity sector stands at a crossroads in 2025, facing an evolving landscape shaped by economic pressures, policy changes, and shifting public expectations.
There are over 168,000 registered charities in the UK, together contributing billions to the economy and providing essential services. While funding constraints and political, economic, environmental and legal complexities present ongoing challenges, a wealth of opportunities still exist for innovation, digital transformation, and enhanced community engagement.