Funding

The Information Commissioner's Office has launched a new Code of Practice on how organisations should use personal information, which explains how the Data Protection Act applies to the collection and use of personal data online. It provides good practice advice for organisations that do business or provide services online, asking them "be straight with consumers" so that people know why their personal information is being collected, how it will be used and who else may end up seeing it.

Research into support needs for frontline organisations in diversifying their income and increasing income generation has been published by ACEVO, funded by Capacitybuilders' National Support Service programme.

Government departments have been moving to introduce 'Payment by results' into their purchasing of frontline services.

Ken Clarke at the Ministry of Justice has said that payment-by-results will be used in the rehabilitation of offenders, and it is being looked at for use in children and young people's services - Civil Society Media news item http://www.civilsociety.co.uk/finance/news/content/6928/.

One of the MPs successful in the private member's bill ballot, Chris White, has chosen to use this chance to propose a law which would require all public sector contracts to carry a 'social clause', asking bidders for information relating to social outcomes and social value.

A number of voluntary sector bodies such as CFDG and the Small Charities Coalition and have come together to produce options for the simplification of the Gift Aid system.

Responses to their survey will inform their discussions with the government on improving the system. As they are due to report back mid-July they presumably want quick responses - Gift Aid Simplification Measures Questionnaire at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/9RTDPWM.

The Charity Commission has updated guidance to help charities carry out fundraising activities that comply with legal requirements and best practice. The updates include more detail on risk management and advice for trustees on what to consider when choosing fundraising methods and common fundraising issues they might face.

For the changes to the various rates and allowances from June's Budget, you can refer to the HM Treasury press release (pdf, 75KB) at http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/junebudget_press_notice2.pdf, but HM Revenue and Customs Budget pages are probably a better reference, http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/budget2010/index.htm.

The latest newsletter from the Third Sector Research Centre features a number of recent reports: