Our world is changing rapidly, with new rules for how we live, work, and socialise in a state of flux across the nation. Whilst many grasped the gravity of COVID-19 months ago, few anticipated the breadth of change we are now all living through.
Based in Glasgow, which has one of the highest numbers of drug-related deaths in the UK, Street Connect offers support to those struggling with homelessness, mental health issues, addiction, poverty and trauma of all kinds.
As many of you will know, the current ‘Exception from Registration Regulations’ that mean that some churches are not legally required to register as a charity with the Charity Commission. These regulations are due to come to an end on 31 March 2021. In general, churches are legally required to register with the Charity Commission when their gross income exceeds £5,000 unless they fall within the excepting regulations, in which case, the gross income limit is increased to £100,000.
Whatever Boaz may have gone through in the time of famine, he was doing well as a landowner when we meet him in the Bible, despite the frequent wars and political upheaval of the time.
The pandemic has left some of us in a strangely better financial position than before: people who have been able to keep jobs but have far less expenses. Covid-19 has drawn even bigger gaps between those who are comfortable and those who are struggling and it can be overwhelming to see so much need around us.
There’s a queue outside the school gate. It’s an orderly queue, with a vague 2m between adults, children in neat uniforms that have received their yearly iron, faces both excited and slightly overwhelmed to see friends again. Hand sanitiser is at the ready, face masks are in pockets (just in case) and admiring nods are given to the vigorous signage announcing the one way system around the school.
But then, there is a cough…
For those of you who jumped on the furlough scheme rollercoaster prior to June, it appears (at the time of writing) that we are approaching the end of the ride. After many twists, turns and updates, the expected end date is 31 October 2020 and employers will then need to decide whether to bring their employees back to work on their normal hours, reduce their employees’ hours or to sadly end their employment. More on this in a moment.
In our previous article (entitled There may be trouble ahead!), we outlined the evolving story of HMRC’s Trust Registration Service (TRS) and whether or not charities would be required to register with the Service. Penalties will apply for non-compliance so it is important for trustees to understand their obligations.
Being a church or Christian charity trustee is a very important and hopefully rewarding role within the organisation that you serve. Good, effective churches and charities need good, effective trustees as an essential part of a broad and diverse leadership team. Romans 12 draws that familiar picture of the church as the ‘body of Christ’, urging each person to take their place for the benefit of all. Trustees are a valuable and indispensable part of that body.
A reminder that a charitable company cannot claim the Employment NI Allowance when all of the following apply:
blogs by the Stewardship team and selected guest writers.
Stewardship is the operating name of Stewardship Services (UKET) Limited. Established in 1906.
Registered charity no. 234714, and a company limited by guarantee, registered in England no. 90305.
Registered office: 1 Lamb's Passage, London EC1Y 8AB
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