We are pleased to launch Charity and Philanthropy Focus, a new newsletter, sharing practical insights on the issues we see affecting charities, trustees and philanthropic organisations. We hope you enjoy this first edition and, if a topic raises a question,
More about Charity & Philanthropy Focus – May 2026What has changed and why it matters? The “charitable purposes soft opt‑in” came into force on 5 February 2026 as part of the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025, which amended the rules under the Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations
More about ICO publishes “soft opt in” guidance – so what should charities do now?The good news? The SORP continues to allow flexibility and recognises that full public disclosure isn’t always the right answer. Telling the story SORP 2026 expects trustees to explain grant making clearly in the trustees’ annual report and in the
More about Grant making disclosures under SORP 2026: transparency without riskAt one level, nothing has changed. Trustees have always been responsible for their charity’s fundraising. But in another sense, this update reflects a continued shift towards clearer expectations of active board oversight. To understand why this matters, it helps to
More about Fundraising governance: a compliance journeyMoving beyond “What to avoid” For many charities, the starting point has been to avoid certain types of investments. That remains relevant, but it is only one part of the picture. Trustees are now being asked a broader question: not
More about Aligning capital with purpose: a practical guide for trusteesHMRC’s draft legislation issued on 21 July 2025 for Technical Consultation features the points of principle in the adjacent box. Many comments have been made in response to the Consultation. We now await the Finance Bill which may contain changes.
More about Part 3 – Inheritance Tax and PensionsPARLIAMENT Effective Date Effect Bills (and Acts not yet in force) FINANCE BILL 2025/2026 HMRC published draft IHT legislation on 21 July 2025 The Bill will be introduced in Parliament following the Chancellor’s Autumn Budget on 26 November 2025 including
More about Part 4 – Pensions Ready Reckoner October 2025Background Mr Roy Thomas (the “Appellant“) applied for a cohabiting partner’s pension and a lump-sum death grant from the Southwark Pension Fund (the “Respondent“) following the death of his partner, Ms. Claudette Coke, on 11 March 2021. The Appellant and
More about Part 1 – Cohabitation and financial interdependence – A lesson from the high courtThe recent case of Lefort v HMRC [2024], featuring one of Wedlake Bell’s very own Pensions Compass articles, serves as a costly reminder to fixed protection holders that inadvertent pension contributions will not be treated favourably by HMRC or the
More about Part 2 – Taxpayer’s mistake no defence to loss of his protectionThe Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, delivered her highly anticipated first Mansion House speech to city leaders on 14 November 2024. Whilst her speech touched on a broad range of financial services policy, it was her announcements on pensions that drew the
More about Part 3 – The Mansion House speech: Unlocking pension fund investment and driving economic growth