Wesleyan Reform Union

Tel: 01226 891608
Email: admin@thewru.co.uk

Churches Legal Advisory Service (CLAS)

CLAS Circular 2024 - 13

  • Decision-making for charity trustees
  • HMRC: Rates and thresholds for employers 2024 to 2025
  • Northern Ireland Executive: Draft Programme for Government 2024-2027
  • Renters' Rights Bill
  • Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill
  • OSCR: consultation on changes to charity law

CLAS Circular 2024 - 12

  • The Charity Commission praises constructive campaigning during General Election
  • Charity Inquiry: Salvation Proclaimers Ministries Limited
  • Church of England parochial fees
  • New Minister for Faith
  • Community Ownership Fund round 4
  • OSCR publishes Annual Report and Accounts 2023-24
  • Wales: Outcome of the consultation on changes to the Council Tax Reduction Scheme

CLAS Circular 2024 - 11

  • Charity Commission statement in response to riots and public disorder
  • Charity Commission: guidance for local authorities on compliance with trustee duties
  • HM Treasury: updated guidance for charity trustees
  • Changes to the Minimum Wage calculation
  • Rural Needs Act (Northern Ireland) 2016: review
  • Proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and the planning system
  • The new Welsh Government

CLAS Circular 2024 - 10

  • Charity Commission refreshes meetings guidance for the Zoom era
  • Charity banking
  • Employment (Allocation of Tips) Regulations
  • Department of Culture, Media, and Sport Ministerial Team
  • Housing and planning
  • Consultation on National Planning Policy Framework reforms
  • Fairer Workplaces Fund
  • OSCR Reporter
  • Draft financial legislation
  • VAT on school fees

CLAS: King's Speech, 17 July 2024

In the King's Speech today, the following announcements on the new Government's legislative programme were made, which may be of interest to members:

  • Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Bill: inter alia, “to modernise the asylum and immigration system, establishing a new Border Security Command and delivering enhanced counter terror powers to tackle organised immigration crime”
  • Children’s Wellbeing Bill: “to raise standards in education and promote children’s wellbeing” by, inter alia, “keeping children safe, happy and rooted in their communities and schools by strengthening multi-agency child protection and safeguarding arrangements, requiring free breakfast clubs in every primary school and introducing legislation to limit the number of branded items of uniform and PE kits that a school can require”.
  • Draft Conversion Practices Bill: “to ban conversion practices”; however, the Government is clear that “any ban must not cover legitimate psychological support, treatment, or non-directive counselling. It must also respect the important role that teachers, religious leaders, parents and carers can have in supporting those exploring their sexual orientation or gender identity”
  • Draft Equality (Race and Disability) Bill: will enshrine in law the full right to equal pay for ethnic minorities and disabled people and introduce mandatory ethnicity and disability pay reporting for larger employers (those with 250+ employees)
  • Draft Leasehold and Commonhold Reform Bill: will implement the provisions of the Leasehold and Freehold Reform Act 2024 and enact the remaining Law Commission recommendations on leasehold enfranchisement and the Right to Manage, tackle unregulated and unaffordable ground rents and remove the threat of forfeiture as a means of ensuring compliance with a lease agreement.
  • Employment Rights Bill: “to introduce a new deal for working people to ban exploitative practices and enhance employment rights” – inter alia, banning exploitative zero-hour contracts, ending ‘Fire and Rehire’ and ‘Fire and Replace’, and making parental leave, sick pay and protection from unfair dismissal available from day 1.
  • English Devolution Bill: to give new powers to metro mayors and combined authorities, which “will support local growth plans that bring economic benefit to communities”.
  • Mental Health Bill: “to modernise the Mental Health Act so it is fit for the twenty-first century”:  it “takes forward the vast majority of Professor Sir Simon Wessley’s 2017 recommendations for legislative reform and includes a wide range of changes to shift the balance of power from the system to the patient”.
  • Pension Schemes Bill: “to increase the amount available for pension savers” and prevent people from “losing track of their pension pots through the consolidation of Defined Contribution individual deferred small pension pots”.
  • Planning and Infrastructure Bill: will introduce changes to the planning system “to accelerate the delivery of high-quality infrastructure and housing”, by “streamlining the delivery process for critical infrastructure” and “further reforming compulsory purchase compensation rules to ensure that compensation paid to landowners is fair but not excessive”.
  • Renters’ Rights Bill: “to give greater rights and protections to people renting their homes, including ending no fault evictions and reforming grounds for possession”.
  • Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill: will require venues and local authorities to take steps to prepare for the possibility of a terror attack. The proposals in the accompanying notes suggest that, as in the Bill which fell in the last Parliament, there will be “standard” and “enhanced” tiers of premises, with a fairly light-touch approach to the former
  • Lords Spiritual (Women) Act 2015 (Extension) Bill: extends the provisions of the 2015 Act for a further period (unspecified) to ensure that female bishops enter the House of Lords sooner than they normally would.

Removing the VAT exemption on private schools and the proposal for a new Council of the Nations and Regions were both mentioned in the King's Speech, but no accompanying draft legislation was published. We assume that the removal of the VAT exemption will be included in the next Finance Bill.

The full transcript of the speech can be accessed here, and the Government's accompanying briefing document can be accessed here.

CLAS Circular 2024 - 09

  • The new Cabinet
  • Housing Ombudsman and Regulator of Social Housing Memorandum of Understanding
  • Cladding Safety Scheme - Information for leaseholders and residents
  • Employment Rights Bill consultation
  • Infrastructure Levy for Scotland: Discussion Paper
  • Updates to the short-term lets licensing scheme
  • Trusts and Succession (Scotland) Act 2024
  • Consultation on the Scottish Law Commission’s report on its review of contract law

CLAS Circular 2024 - 08

  • General Election 2024: campaigning and political activity by charities
  • The General Election and the legislative programme
  • Social Tenant Access to Information Requirements: consultation
  • A registration threshold for charities in Northern Ireland?

CLAS Circular 2024 - 07

  • Allocation of tips
  • Regulation of social housing in England
  • Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund: Wave 3
  • Review of charity regulation in Scotland - possibly
  • Employment Injury Assistance Scheme

CLAS Circular 2024 - 06

  • Reforming the Law of Apologies in Civil Proceedings in England and Wales
  • Low Pay Commission consultation 2024
  • New regime for social housing
  • Proposed changes to land transaction tax reliefs

CLAS Circular 2024 - 05

  • National Minimum Wage and National Living Wage
  • Managing charity property conference
  • New regime for social housing in England
  • OSCR Reporter, March
  • Scotland: Long term rent controls proposed

CLAS Circular 2024 - 04

  • Charity Commission guidance notes: updates
  • Accepting, refusing, and returning donations to your charity
  • UK general election 2024: non-party campaigning
  • Burial, cremation and commemoration of the dead: VAT
  • Social rented sector landlord portal
  • Stamp Duty Land Tax relief for land or property transactions on social housing
  • Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill: further update
  • Budget 2024

CLAS Circular 2024 - 03

  • Churches and the forthcoming General Election
  • Affordable Homes Scheme expansion
  • Consultation: Competence and Conduct Standard for social housing
  • Regulation of short-term lettings
  • Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill: update

CLAS Circular 2024 - 02

  • Terrorism (Protection of Premises) Bill: further consultation
  • Cultural heritage survey
  • Consultation: Social housing allocation reform

CLAS Circular 2024 - 01

  • Charities Act 2022: further provisions to come into force
  • Consultation on timescales for repairs in the social rented sector
  • Consultation on transparency of land ownership involving trusts
  • Energy efficiency drive for historic homes
  • HM Treasury consultation on devolving powers for a Scottish Building Safety Levy

CLAS Circular 2023 - 22

  • Skilled worker earnings threshold
  • Future Homes and Buildings Standards: 2023 consultation
  • Forthcoming consultation on legal age of marriage

CLAS Circular 2023 - 21

  • Regulators urge public to take care when donating to charity
  • Labour’s new Shadow Minister for Faith
  • Non-party campaigner Code of Practice for general elections
  • Prevention of terrorism
  • Historic England consultation: Climate Change and Historic Building Adaptation Advice Note
  • Leasehold and Freehold Reform Bill

CLAS Circular 2023 - 19

  • Election campaigning by charities
  • Holiday pay for part-time workers
  • UK Government reshuffle
  • The King’s Speech 2023
  • Modern leasehold: restricting ground rent for existing leases
  • Council tax premium on second homes
  • Wales: continued support and rent increase cap for social housing tenants
  • Wales: council tax consultation

CLAS Circular 2023 - 18

  • Charities Act 2022 implementation plan: update
  • Charity Commission updated guidance: Prepare a charity annual return
  • Employment practices and data protection: monitoring workers
  • Reuse of graves
  • Consultation on Improving Broadband for Very Hard to Reach Premises
  • Renters (Reform) Bill
  • Social Housing Decarbonisation Fund: an additional £80 million

CLAS Circular 2023 - 17

  • Charity Commission guidance on charities and social media
  • Code of Fundraising Practice consultation 2023
  • Copyright: be careful
  • Non-party campaigning: draft code of practice
  • Technical consultation on a Community Wealth Fund in England
  • Consultation on directions to the Regulator of Social Housing: tenant rights and complaints
  • Autumn Statement 2023 representations

CLAS Circular 2023 - 16

  • Food allergies and labelling
  • Consultation on business rates
  • Social housing standards consultation
  • Burials and burial law
  • One month before the short-term lets licensing deadline
  • Chancellor’s Autumn Statement
  • Income Tax relief claim for employment expenses by post: form P87

CLAS Circular 2023 - 15

  • Charity Investments After Butler-Schloss
  • Support for Charities Helping Vulnerable People
  • Domestic Consumers with Non-domestic Energy Supply Contracts: Call for Evidence
  • Consultation: New Building Requirements for Separate Male and Female Toilets
  • Social Housing Quality Resident Panel Reports
  • Consultation: Delivery of Relationships, Sexual Health and Parenthood (RSHP) Education in Schools
  • Consultation: Changes to the Annual Return for Charities

CLAS Circular 2023 - 14

  • Charity tax guidance: update
  • EU Settlement Scheme enhancements confirmed
  • Grant aid to place of worship in England
  • Listed Place of Worship Grant Scheme website
  • RSH Tenant Satisfaction Measures data pilot for small landlords
  • Charities Regulation and Administration (Scotland) Bill passed
  • Land Transaction Tax (Wales): updated

CLAS Circular 2023 - 13

  • Places of Worship Protective Security Funding Scheme
  • Terrorism (Protection of Premises) draft Bill
  • Second extension of Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Act 2022
  • HMRC consultation on charities tax compliance

CLAS Circular 2023 - 12

  • Charities Act 2022 implementation plan: update
  • Grants by parish, town and community councils to places of worship
  • Historic England Missing Pieces Project
  • HMRC scam warning

CLAS Circular 2023 - 11

  • Government Response to the Final Report from IICSA

CLAS Circular 2023 - 10

  • Internal financial controls for charities (CC8)
  • Consultation on Retained EU Employment Law
  • Plunkett Foundation
  • Rent Standard and guidance for social housing
  • Renters (Reform) Bill
  • Charities (Regulation and Administration) (Scotland) Bill
  • VAT Notice: Fuel and Power update
  • Gift Aid
  • HMRC consultation on tax compliance by charities

CLAS Circular 2023 - 09

  • Charity Commission: Road-testing the new investment guidance for trustees
  • Vicarious liability in the Supreme Court
  • Ethnicity pay reporting: guidance for employers
  • Humanist marriage ceremonies in England and Wales
  • Does government ‘do God?’: recommendations of the Westminster Government’s Independent Faith Engagement Adviser
  • Being careful about copyright
  • OSCR: advice on making a referral to Disclosure Scotland
  • Tax Administration and Maintenance Day

CLAS Circular 2023 - 08

  • National Living Wage and National Minimum Wage increases come into force
  • Update to immigration rules for charity workers
  • Elections and non-party campaigning
  • Consultation on the introduction of a use class for short-term lets
  • Support for non-domestic organisations not on the gas grid
  • Government announces proposed UNESCO world heritage site list
  • Possible Council Tax changes for second and empty homes? (Scotland)

CLAS Circular 2023 - 07

  • Charities Act 2022: information on the changes being introduced in Spring 2023
  • Government review of the law on whistleblowing
  • Increased security measures to protect Jewish communities
  • More on mandatory reporting of child sexual abuse
  • Registration of Births and Deaths in England and Wales
  • Reforming surrogacy law in Great Britain
  • Benefact Trust: new Building Improvement Grants Programme
  • Grants and adviser support for co-locating a community business in a place of worship
  • Private Tenancies (Northern Ireland) Act 2022
  • Review of the Race Relations (NI) Order 1997
  • Business rates and places of worship
  • Fuel costs: reliefs for charities: further update
  • Landlord and tenant
  • Finance (No. 2) Bill

CLAS Circular 2023 - 06

  • Prospective Scheme of Delegation for CCNI
  • Levelling-up and Regeneration Bill: powers of parish & town councils
  • Environmental Outcome Reports consultation
  • Infrastructure Levy consultation
  • Managing fuel costs: reliefs for charities
  • Non-Domestic Alternative Fuel Payments Scheme
  • Building Regulations guidance: part L (conservation of fuel and power) (Wales)

CLAS Circular 2023 - 05

  • A Modern Framework for Disposing of the Dead
  • Church of England parochial fees
  • Private Tenancies Act (Northern Ireland) 2022
  • Permitted development rights: supporting renewable energy
  • Surveying biodiversity in churchyards
  • The end of ‘no fault’ section 21 evictions
  • Reforming the criminal law to address misogyny
  • Scottish Parliament approves 3% rent cap
  • Spring Budget 2023
  • Planning Policy Wales: net benefit for biodiversity and ecosystems' resilience

CLAS Circular 2023 - 04

  • Charities' Annual Return 2023
  • Human Rights at Work
  • Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022
  • Annual reporting by registered charities
  • Dampness and mould in rented housing
  • LUHC Committee: Reforming the Private Rented Sector
  • Minimum Energy Efficiency Standards (MEES)
  • Rent Standard
  • Social Housing (Regulation) Bill [HL] 2022-23
  • Gift Aid claims on digital donations
  • Reforming non-domestic rates in Wales

CLAS Circular 2023 - 03

  • Charity Commission trustee guides
  • Charity Finance survey
  • Dismissal and Re-engagement
  • Minority languages in the UK
  • Realigned UK Government Departments
  • Energy bills
  • Service charge transparency requirements: ongoing costs of the new building safety regime
  • Charities (Regulation and Administration) (Scotland) Bill
  • Register of Controlled Interest in Land
  • Carbon monoxide alarms
  • Statutory licensing for visitor accommodation

CLAS Circular 2023 - 02

  • Charity Commission Draft Guidance on social media
  • Vocation to ministry and employment law
  • Church of England Archbishops’ Commission on Reimagining Care
  • The Protect Duty: further information
  • Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age): a reminder
  • Voter ID
  • Guide on acquiring and managing property
  • New fire safety regulations come into force in England
  • Register of Controlled Interest in Land

CLAS Circular 2023 - 01

  • Questions for the Charity Annual Return 2023 for England & Wales
  • The Protect Duty: the Government’s conclusions
  • Regulation of gambling
  • Outdoor religious weddings in England & Wales?
  • Managing fuel costs: reliefs for charities
  • Spring Budget 2023 representations

CLAS Circular 2022 - 17

  • Employment Tribunal rulings on gender-critical beliefs in the workplace
  • Making flexible working the default
  • Church of England Parochial Fees 2023
  • Places of worship registered for weddings
  • The Protect Duty
  • International reporting standards for not-for-profits
  • Direction on the rent standard
  • Fire safety remediation pilot - medium-rise buildings
  • Improving boiler standards and efficiency
  • Leasehold reform in England and Wales: what’s happening and when?
  • Survey on Non-Domestic Alternative Fuel Payment support
  • Addressing racial inequality in the workplace
  • Modernising Scots law on Trusts
  • Buildings and construction (VAT Notice 708)
  • Just Transition to Net Zero Wales
  • Non-domestic rates support for 2023-24
  • Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016: commencement

CLAS Circular 2022 - 16

  • E-petition to include abortion in the Bill of Rights Bill
  • Resources for churches and church buildings
  • Heritage at Risk 2022 Registers
  • Charities (Regulation and Administration) (Scotland) Bill
  • Autumn Statement 2022
  • Gift Aid guidance updated
  • New VAT penalties and VAT interest charges
  • Stamp Duty Land Tax (Reduction) Bill 2022-23

CLAS Circular 2022 - 15

  • Campaigning and political activity by charities
  • Charities Act 2022: first set of changes come into force
  • Charities and terrorism
  • Carer’s Leave Bill
  • Redundancy (Pregnancy and Family Leave) Bill
  • Consultation on changes to planning permitted development rights
  • Independent Review of Charity Regulation
  • Miscarriage leave and pay
  • Northern Ireland: Positions of Trust
  • Review of Government counter-terrorism strategy
  • Chancel repair liability
  • Energy bills rebate: religious buildings
  • Fire safety in places of worship
  • IICSA: Final Report
  • Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) (Scotland) Act 2022
  • National Planning Framework 4 - draft: consultation analysis
  • Religious Buildings: VAT
  • The future of Welsh-speaking Communities: call for evidence
  • Update on Building Regulations guidance for Parts F, L and O

CLAS Circular 2022 - 14

  • Charities Act 2022: implementation plan
  • Political activity and campaigning by charities
  • Marriage and civil partnership investigations
  • CCNI: Changes to the annual monitoring return
  • Independent Review of Net Zero commissioned
  • Churches: Vandalism
  • Energy Prices Bill: how households and businesses will be supported
  • The Rock Review: working together for a thriving agricultural tenanted sector
  • Understanding the possession action process: guidance for landlords and tenants
  • Building a New Scotland: A stronger economy with independence
  • Cost of Living (Tenant Protection) Bill
  • Pre-action requirements and seeking repossession of private rented housing on rent arrears grounds
  • Financial Statement – 17 October 2022
  • Building Regulations Part L and F Review: Stage 2B
  • Changes to main residential rates and bands for Land Transaction Tax
  • Listed Building Applications and Decisions (Duty to Notify National Amenity Societies and the Royal Commission (Wales) Direction 2022

CLAS Circular 2022 - 13

  • Webinar: bringing Volunteers to the UK
  • Financial Statement – September 2022
  • Churches and Historic Buildings: Bats
  • Government outlines plans to help cut energy bills for businesses
  • Reforming non-domestic rates in Wales
  • Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016: improving security of tenure by increasing the period of notice

CLAS Circular 2022 - 12

  • Consultation on annual return 2023 concludes
  • Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022: commencement
  • National Mourning period: guidance for faith and belief groups and places of worship
  • The Bill of Rights Bill
  • A Decent Homes Standard in the private rented sector
  • Energy bills support
  • Energy cost survey
  • Scotland: Programme for Government 2022 to 2023

CLAS Circular 2022 - 11

  • Charity Commission: bullying and harassment roles and responsibilities
  • National Lottery Heritage Fund consultation
  • UPDATE - Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms in social housing/rented homes
  • A New Deal for Tenants: consultation analysis
  • Heat in Buildings Strategy: Domestic EPC Reform Consultation
  • OSCR online upgrade: possible missed messages?
  • Scottish Government consultation on Gaelic and Scots
  • Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme under new management
  • Review of hybrid and distance working
  • Building Regulations Part L and F Review: Stage 2B
  • Health and social care: consultation

CLAS Circular 2022 - 10

  • Charities Act 2022: information about the changes being introduced
  • Charity registration for excepted congregations?
  • Employment status: the consultation outcome and guidance
  • Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022: implementation
  • Disclosure and barring
  • National Lottery – Putting Communities First
  • Listed Buildings Protection
  • Smoke and Carbon Monoxide Alarm (Amendment) Regulations 2022
  • Consultation on Digitising Business Rates
  • Review of hybrid and distance working scoping document
  • Consultation on the regulations reforming the Non-Domestic rates appeals system for Wales
  • Draft Non-Domestic Rating (Property in Common Occupation) (Wales) Regulations 2022
  • The Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 (Saving and Transitional Provisions) Regulations 2022

CLAS Circular 2022 - 09

  • Research into public trust in charities and trustees' experience of their role
  • HM Passport Office Clergy Newsletter, edition 14: June 2022
  • Faculty Jurisdiction Rules
  • Reform of weddings law in England and Wales
  • Finance Minister outlines plan for Marriage Law reform
  • Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 and positions of trust
  • Fire safety: risk prioritisation in existing buildings
  • Consultation on improving disabled people’s access to let residential premises
  • Private Rented Housing: Energy Bills Rebate
  • Tenancy deposit reform: a call for evidence
  • The Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Act guidance
  • Non-Domestic Rates Bill passed
  • Revenue and Customs Brief 10 (2022): VAT — business and non-business activities

CLAS Circular 2022 - 08

  • Charity regulators: Memorandum of Understanding
  • Investment in built heritage
  • DCMS guidelines on challenging the decision to list a building
  • Energy Bills Support Scheme
  • Fire safety
  • Leasehold reform in England and Wales: What’s happening and when?
  • Protective Security Funding Scheme

CLAS Circular 2022 - 07

  • Queen’s Speech, May 2022 - Proposed legislation of possible interest to CLAS members

CLAS Circular 2022 - 06

  • Ethical investment and the powers and duties of charity trustees
  • Reform of charity law in Ireland
  • Emergency Services: Ministers of Religion
  • Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Act 2022
  • HM Passport Office guidebook for the clergy
  • The Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2022
  • Historic England guidance on terne-coated steel
  • Guidance on the design and delivery of mandatory Religion, Values and Ethics

CLAS Circular 2022 - 05

  • Administering the last rites at crime scenes: police guidance
  • Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020
  • Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Advice for workplaces
  • Queen’s Speech 2022
  • Registering a venue for civil marriage and civil partnership

CLAS Circular 2022 - 04

  • Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance for the charity sector: online trustees’ meetings
  • Future of Heating In Historic Buildings conference
  • Less than one week to go for Making Tax Digital for VAT

CLAS Circular 2022 - 03

  • Charities Act 2022 receives Royal Assent
  • Charity Commission statement on Ukraine crisis and its implications for charities
  • Government names preferred candidate for Charity Commission Chair
  • Guidance on reporting safeguarding concerns in a charity
  • End of COVID-19 rules: what employers need to know
  • Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2022
  • Outdoor civil weddings and civil partnerships made permanent
  • The right to choose: Government guidance on forced marriage
  • Competition to appoint new Members to the Historic Buildings Council and the Historic Monuments Council
  • Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2022
  • Inclusive Britain: Government response to the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities
  • Private Parking code of practice
  • Right to rent immigration checks: landlords' code of practice
  • Spring Statement 2022
  • Consultation on the splitting of non-domestic properties for valuation purposes

CLAS Circular 2022 - 02

  • Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidance for the charity sector
  • ’No-fault’ divorce in England and Wales
  • 'Levelling Up Our Communities: Proposals for a New Social Covenant’: Government response
  • Prime Minister appoints Deputy Special Envoy for Freedom of Religion or Belief
  • Charity Commission for Northern Ireland
  • Consultation on Hate Crime Legislation in Northern Ireland
  • Independent Review of Charity Regulation
  • Levelling Up White Paper
  • Immigration: new digital identity checking for landlords and employers
  • E-signatures best practice
  • Cultural Recovery Fund 3 opens to new entrants

CLAS Circular 2022 - 01

  • COVID-19: guidance for the safe use of places of worship in England
  • COVID-19: guidance on enabling safe and effective volunteering
  • Outdoor weddings and civil partnerships in England & Wales
  • Protect Duty:  the Government’s response
  • Human rights consultation
  • Leasehold and commonhold reform in England & Wales
  • Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016: commencement
  • Guidance on Religion, Values and Ethics syllabus

CLAS Circular 2021 - 25

  • England moves to COVID Plan B
  • Coronavirus (COVID-19): “Life events”
  • Martin Thomas is confirmed as the new Charity Commission Chair
  • Registration of church charities in England & Wales
  • Church of England Parochial Fees 2022
  • National Data Strategy Mission 1 Policy Framework: Unlocking the value of data across the economy
  • Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Bill 2021-22
  • Scottish Budget 2022-23
  • Curriculum for Wales: Relationships and Sexuality Education (RSE)
  • Planning legislation and policy for second homes and short-term holiday lets

CLAS Circular 2021 - 24

  • Charity Commission: appointing interim managers
  • Charity Commission: safeguarding for charities and trustees
  • Increase in Living Wage rates
  • Crime in places of worship
  • Marriage and Civil Partnership (Minimum Age) Bill: Second Reading
  • Emergency services and crime scenes: ministers of religion
  • Northern Ireland: consultation on changes to marriage law
  • Warning from CLAS member regarding fraudulent letter
  • COVID-19: commercial landlords and tenants
  • Improving Energy Performance Certificates: action plan - progress report
  • Civil Partnership (Scotland)
  • Licensing short-term lets
  • Register of Persons Holding a Controlled Interest in Land
  • Towards a circular economy
  • Tobacco control strategy for Wales and delivery plan

CLAS Circular 2021 - 23

  • Autumn Budget
  • Charity Commission: updated COVID-19 guidance
  • Charity Commission: COVID-19 Survey 2021
  • Protective security provision
  • Banning conversion therapy
  • Church of England net-zero carbon consultation

CLAS Circular 2021 - 22

  • Charity Commission: ‘Take action on fraud’
  • Home Office: updated immigration rule guidance for Minister of Religion and Religious Worker
  • DCMS: exporting or importing objects of cultural interest
  • Food safety and allergen labelling
  • Heat and Buildings Strategy
  • Phasing out the installation of fossil fuel heating systems in businesses and public buildings off the gas grid
  • Phasing out the installation of fossil fuel heating in homes off the gas grid
  • Independent Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse: child protection in religious organisations and settings

CLAS Circular 2021 - 21

  • Minister for Civil Society appointed
  • Job Retention Scheme: final claims
  • Making flexible working the default
  • Tied accommodation
  • Understanding the possession action process: guidance for landlords and tenants
  • Becoming a fair work nation
  • Consultation on reforming the non-domestic rates system
  • Grants for tenants in rent arrears
  • Heat in Buildings Strategy
  • Planning and historic environment law to be simplified

CLAS Circular 2021 - 20

  • Charity Fraud Awareness Week 2021
  • NI Private Tenancies Bill
  • Call for evidence - Labelling for animal welfare
  • DCMS: Data – a new direction
  • Historic England guidance on metal theft
  • Ministerial reshuffle (Sept 2021)
  • Coronavirus Act 2020: Residential Tenancies and Notices
  • Retrofit internal wall insulation: best practice
  • Places of Worship Forum
  • COVID-19 Regulations update

CLAS Circular 2021 - 19

  • European ID Cards: changes at the UK Border from 1 October
  • Remote right-to-work checks
  • UK points-based immigration system: sponsorship roadmap
  • COVID-19 guidance and documentation
  • Faith New Deal Pilot Fund
  • Landlords rates discount deadline approaching
  • Changes to charity banking with HSBC
  • Where next for data protection?
  • Driving outside the UK on or after 28 September 2021
  • IICSA report finds child sexual abuse in most major UK religions
  • Scottish Government: Programme for Government 2021-2022
  • Chancellor’s statement on health and social care

CLAS Circular 2021 - 18

  • Charity Commission: responsible investment guidance
  • EU Settlement Scheme
  • Government data on mass events and COVID-19
  • Leasehold Reform (Ground Rent) Bill 2021-22
  • Scottish Government: consultation on COVID-19 inquiry
  • Business rates revaluation 2023: the central rating list
  • Draft Valuation for Rating (Wales) (Coronavirus) Regulations 2021

CLAS Circular 2021 - 17

  • Guidance on the loosening of restrictions
  • Charity Commission: Managing faith charities as trustees guidance
  • E-signatures on accounts
  • DCMS: a governing body for digital identities
  • Government response to consultation on sexual harassment in the workplace
  • COVID-19: guidance for the safe use of places of worship
  • Jewish cemetery preservation
  • Marriage venues
  • Relationship between the church and state in the UK
  • CCNI: Charities SORP
  • HSE: COVID and ventilation
  • National Disability Strategy
  • Protect Duty
  • Commons Library: The end of "no fault" section 21 evictions
  • Historic England: Building Works and Bats
  • Ministerial Statement: Building Beautiful Places
  • Safer public places: managing public outdoor settings
  • Building standards (fire safety) - a consultation on external wall systems
  • Domestic energy performance certificates reform
  • Proposed changes to Energy Standards and associated topics
  • Finance Bill 2021-22: draft legislation and tax documents
  • Changes to the determination of listed building consent applications
  • Guidance on funerals
  • Renting Homes (Wales) Act

CLAS Circular 2021 - 16

  • Government guidance on loosening of restrictions in the UK
  • Guidance from the Churches
  • Charity Commission: updated guidance on charity accounting
  • DCMS: Risk management template for event organisers
  • Weddings and civil partnerships: changes to COVID-19 restrictions in England from 19 July
  • Charities Bill (NI): call for evidence
  • Private Tenancies Bill
  • COVID-19: Guidance on reopening places of worship
  • COVID-19: Guidance on marriages, civil partnerships and related wedding ceremonies
  • Welsh Government legislative programme

CLAS Circular 2021 - 15

  • Charity Commission: COVID-19 and charity AGMs
  • Charities and terrorism
  • Charities Bill [Lords]
  • Home Office: Illegal working penalties codes of practice for employers 2021
  • European Commission adopts adequacy decision for UK data protection
  • Clergy Newsletter Issue 13
  • Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Act 2020
  • Guidance on weddings, civil partnerships, funerals, wakes and commemorations
  • Guidance on outdoor civil marriage and civil partnership ceremonies in England & Wales
  • Bill for Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay
  • Northern Ireland business rates revaluation
  • Access to Cash consultation
  • COVID-19: Prime Minister announces easing of restrictions in England
  • Building Safety Bill
  • Responsible Person or Duty Holder under the Fire Safety Order
  • Opposite-sex civil partnerships
  • OSCR: George Walker appointed as Interim Chair
  • OSCR: Reporter, June edition
  • Short Term Lets: consultation on draft Licensing Order
  • Strengthening Scottish Charity Law
  • Fundamental Review of Business Rates in England: more frequent revaluations

CLAS Circular 2021 - 14

  • Changes to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme from July 2021: a reminder
  • Clergy Newsletter Issue 12
  • Marriage registration in England & Wales
  • Updated guidance on COVID-19 and places of worship in England
  • No-fault divorce in England & Wales
  • The Government’s future immigration policy
  • OTS to explore potential for moving the end of the tax year
  • Updated guidance on COVID-19 and places of worship in Wales

CLAS Circular 2021 - 13

  • Changes to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme from July 2021: a reminder
  • Marriage registration in England & Wales
  • Updated guidance on COVID-19 and places of worship in England
  • The Government’s future immigration policy
  • Updated guidance on COVID-19 and places of worship in Wales

CLAS Circular 2021 - 12

  • The Queen’s Speech
  • Amendment to standard 12.6.2 (free draws) of the Code of Fundraising Practice
  • Contested Heritage in Cathedrals and Churches
  • Labour Shadow Cabinet reshuffle
  • Building safety: planning gateway one
  • Restarting Fundraising Activities
  • Simplifying the VAT Land Exemption - call for evidence

CLAS Circular 2021 - 11

  • Changes to registration system in England & Wales
  • Formal consultation on draft Funerals Market Order
  • Limit on mourners at funerals in England to be removed
  • Independent Review of Charity Regulation
  • Consultation: new code of practice for external walls
  • Fire Safety Act 2021
  • Project Gigabit
  • Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (England) (Amendment) (Coronavirus) Order 2021
  • COVID-19: Moving to Level 3
  • Gift Aid on waived refunds and loan repayments
  • Further relaxation of COVID-19 restrictions

CLAS Circular 2021 - 10

  • NMW/ NLW accommodation offset rates
  • Marriage and Civil Partnership Regulations
  • Guidance for the safe use of places of worship and special religious services and gatherings during the pandemic Places of worship registered for marriage
  • Philip & Ors for Judicial Review of the closure of places of worship in Scotland
  • Renting Homes (Wales) Act 2016 draft regulations
  • Wales to be in Alert Level 3 by 17 May

CLAS Circular 2021 - 09

  • Government response to Law Commission report on Technical Issues in Charity Law
  • National Living Wage increase
  • Draft Registration of Marriages Regulations 2021
  • Weddings and civil partnerships in England: latest guidance
  • COVID-19 regulations laid in Parliament
  • Introducing a performance-based policy framework in large commercial and industrial buildings
  • Improving broadband for Very Hard to Reach premises
  • Project Gigabit Phase One Delivery Plan
  • Unlimited fines for those who breach fire safety regulations
  • Tax Day announcements

CLAS Circular 2021 - 08

  • “Contested heritage”, the Charity Commission and the National Trust
  • Financial support for charities
  • Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme
  • Extending the rates holiday for a further 12 months
  • Church hustings
  • Extension of bailiff-enforced rental evictions in England
  • Religious Buildings: Planning
  • Timetable for easing restrictions
  • Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme (GASDS)
  • COVID-19: places of worship and the latest Welsh Regulations

CLAS Circular 2021 - 07

  • Budget 2021
  • The Civil Partnerships, Marriages and Deaths (Registration etc.) Act 2019
  • Protect Duty consultation

CLAS Circular 2021 - 06

  • COVID-19: The path out of lockdown in England
  • COVID-19: The path out of lockdown in Scotland
  • Welsh First Minister announces tweaks to lockdown rules
  • VAT Deferral New Payment Scheme
  • The Renting Homes (Amendment) (Wales) Bill

CLAS Circular 2021 - 05

  • Call for Evidence - Covid-19: Government support for charities
  • Charity law: directors/trustees of Kids Company exonerated
  • European Commission expected to approve UK-EU data transfers
  • Commission proposes extension to EU-UK Trade Agreement
  • Call for comments on pre-paid funeral plans
  • National Lottery Grants for Heritage 2021-22
  • A new survey about volunteers and the heritage sector
  • Consultation on designing a new UK subsidy control regime
  • COVID-19 - Where do we go from here?
  • Time limit to COVID support grants
  • Ban on bailiff evictions extended
  • Business rates relief to be extended for full year
  • OSCR: 'virtual'`meetings of charities and SCIOs
  • Updates to the Disclosure (Scotland) Act 2020
  • Budget 2021 and the “Tax Day”
  • Paying VAT deferred due to coronavirus
  • Proposal allowing Northern Ireland to apply special measures on VAT

CLAS Circular 2021 - 04

  • Charities: exception from Registration
  • Church Action for Tax Justice Reports
  • Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme
  • Employment of Tier 2 Ministers of Religion and Tier 5 Religious Workers post-Brexit
  • Programme for Government
  • Independent Human Rights Act Review
  • COVID-19: rent arrears and eviction
  • Historic Building Annex
  • Response to an IICSA report on the sexual abuse of children outside the UK
  • Tackling Child Sexual Abuse Strategy
  • Supporting the wedding sector
  • Church caretakers and living accommodation
  • COVID-19: new requirement for risk assessments

CLAS Circular 2021 - 03

  • Charity Commission to consult on updated responsible investment guidance
  • Reopening of Voluntary, Community and Social Economy Sector Covid Recovery Fund
  • “Contested heritage” and listing statues: new proposals from MHCLG
  • Metal theft
  • Building Safety (Wales) White Paper
  • Clean Air (Wales) Bill

CLAS Circular 2021 - 02

  • COVID-19: Guidance for the safe use of places of worship
  • Government updates COVID-19 support guidance

CLAS Circular 2021 - 01

  • COVID-19 updates
  • Charity Commission: COVID-19 guidance updated
  • Charity Commission: Inquiry into Christ Apostolic Church World Soul Winning and Evangelistic Ministry
  • Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
  • Recruiting people from outside the UK from 1 January 2021
  • Brexit
  • Brexit checker tool published
  • Government updates COVID-19 support guidance
  • New lockdown grants to support businesses and protect jobs
  • ICO publish data sharing code of practice
  • Using personal data in your business or other organisation
  • COVID-19: Guidance for the safe use of multi-purpose community facilities
  • Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage
  • Updated MHCLG guidance for landlords and property owners
  • Strengthening Scottish Charity Law
  • Government updates tax guidance
  • Draft Budget 2021 to 2022

CLAS Circular 2020 - 33

  • Christmas COVID-19 guidelines and updates
  • Stop Press: Northern Ireland Christmas COVID-19 guidelines
  • Charity Governance Code: update
  • Chancellor extends furlough and loan schemes
  • New criminal record disclosure rules take effect
  • Sponsoring a Minister of Religion or Religious Worker
  • Draft changes to the Family Procedure Rules
  • Independent Human Rights Act Review
  • Review of the Gambling Act 2005
  • Business evictions ban extended until March
  • MHCLG updated renting and letting guidance
  • Treasure Act 1996
  • New standards for short-term lets
  • Building Regulations Part L and F Review – Stage 2A
  • Welsh business rates frozen for 2021 to 2022

CLAS Circular 2020 - 32

  • The Winter Plan for England and the tier system
  • Christmas COVID-19 guidelines
  • Welsh Government updates COVID-19 guidance
  • Suggested principles for safer singing
  • Charities (Exception from Registration) Regulations 1996
  • Enabling safe and effective volunteering during coronavirus
  • National Fund to be redistributed
  • Extension of the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme
  • Immigration and Social Security Co-ordination (EU Withdrawal) Act 2020
  • Churches: Repairs and Maintenance
  • MHCLG Independent Faith Engagement Review: call for evidence
  • Spending Review 2020
  • Local Restriction Support Grants (England)

CLAS Circular 2020 - 31

  • COVID-19 Updates
  • Charity Commission: updated guidance on COVID-19
  • Law Commission: consultation on weddings law in England & Wales extended
  • National Heritage Memorial Fund

CLAS Circular 2020 - 30

  • COVID-19 UPDATES
    • England 
    • Scotland
    • Wales
    • Remembrance Sunday 2020 in England
  • Charity Commission: ‘five-minute guides’ for charity trustees
  • Furlough scheme extended and further economic support
  • Immigration status of clergy
  • Same-sex religious marriage
  • Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Bill
  • COVID-19 and weddings

CLAS Circular 2020 - 29

  • AGMs and other meetings: latest Charity Commission guidance
  • Job Retention Bonus
  • COVID-19: marriages and civil partnerships in England
  • Taylor Review Pilot: evaluation
  • IICSA report on Anglican Churches
  • Early medical abortion at home
  • Renting Homes (Wales) Amendment Bill
  • Wales: Weddings and Coronavirus

CLAS Circular 2020 - 28

  • Latest advice on social distancing etc
  • Brexit and Religious Orders
  • Lead theft
  • Marriage and multi-purpose community facilities: updated guidance
  • Law Commission: wedding law in England & Wales
  • Financial support for VCSE organisations to respond to coronavirus
  • Chancellor announces Winter Economy Plan
  • Levelling up our communities: proposals for a new social covenant
  • McKee & Others v Charity Commission for Northern Ireland: update
  • Views sought on amending Building Regulations
  • Government response to the IICSA Westminster report
  • Consultation on Short Term Lets
  • Reform of Hate Crime
  • Non-Domestic Rating (Lists) (No. 2) Bill
  • VAT reverse charge
  • Temporary increase in the notice period for eviction to be extended

CLAS Circular 2020 - 27

  • Charity Commission: new version of the online register of charities
  • Kickstart Scheme opens for applications
  • Guidance for small marriages and civil partnerships
  • Guidance for the safe use of places of worship, special religious services and gatherings
  • Law Commission consultation on reform of wedding law in England & Wales
  • Mothers’ details on marriage certificates
  • Funding available through the Culture Recovery Fund
  • Green Homes Grant Scheme update
  • Guidance for the safe use of multi-purpose community facilities
  • New law meaning renters have a 6-month notice period
  • Same-sex marriage: Northern Ireland
  • Programme for Government, 2020/21
  • COVID-19: places of worship in Wales

CLAS Circular 2020 - 26

  • Marriage: Video Conferencing    
  • Registration of Births, Deaths, Marriages and Civil Partnerships
  • Culture Recovery Fund: update
  • Proposal to replace the Community Infrastructure Levy
  • Churches in Wales

CLAS Circular 2020 - 25

  • Furloughed employees to receive full redundancy payments      
  • Job Retention Bonus guidance published            
  • COVID-19: Guidance for small marriages and civil partnerships  
  • Culture Recovery Fund  
  • Society lotteries: changes to the rules from 29 July          
  • COVID-19 restrictions    
  • Temporary increase in the notice period for eviction

CLAS Circular 2020 - 24

  • Intellectual property and copyright. 2
  • Draft Building Safety Bill. 3
  • Law Commission publishes reports on enfranchisement, commonhold and right to manage. 3
  • Fundamental review of business rates consultation. 4
  • Making Tax Digital: changes. 4
  • Technical Consultation on the Fifth Money Laundering Directive. 5

CLAS Circular 2020 - 23

  • Fundraising Regulator: Safely returning to fundraising
  • UK points-based immigration system
  • New campaign to prepare UK for end of the transition period
  • Safe re-opening of places of worship
  • Further coronavirus restrictions relaxed in Wales

CLAS Circular 2020 - 22

  • Charity Commission: transparent and accountable governance
  • COVID-19 and the financial sustainability of places of worship
  • Guidance for managing a funeral during the coronavirus pandemic
  • Guidance for the safe use of places of worship
  • Places of Worship Security Funding Scheme
  • Guidance for the safe use of multi-purpose community facilities
  • Scotland moves to Phase 3 of lockdown route map
  • Temporary reduced rate of VAT for hospitality, holiday accommodation and attractions
  • Stay local to be lifted in Wales

CLAS Circular 2020 - 21

  • COVID-19: update
  • Maintaining records of staff, customers and visitors to support NHS Test and Trace
  • Guidance for small marriages and civil partnerships
  • Resumption of indoor baptisms weddings and civil partnerships
  • Chancellor’s ‘Plan for Jobs’ statement

CLAS Circular 2020 - 20

  • COVID-19: Government guidance on reopening places of worship in England

CLAS Circular 2020 - 19

  • COVID-19: update on reopening places of worship in England
  • Divorce, Dissolution and Separation Bill
  • Places of worship to reopen on 29 June
  • Danny Kruger MP to work on DCMS consultation on volunteers
  • Ecclesiastical Insurance fundraising hub
  • Reopening of tourism and visitor attractions
  • Civil Partnership (Scotland) Bill passes Stage 3
  • Scotland enters Phase 2 of lockdown exit
  • COVID-19: further update on reopening places of worship

CLAS Circular 2020 - 18  (Contains Coronavirus Guidance)

CLAS Circular 2020 - 17  (Contains Coronavirus Guidance)

CLAS Circular 2020 - 16  (Contains Coronavirus Guidance)

CLAS Circular 2020 - 15  (Contains Coronavirus Guidance)

CLAS Webinar - 20 May 2020  (Contains Coronavirus Guidance)

CLAS Circular 2020 - 14  (Contains Coronavirus Guidance)

CLAS Circular 2020 - 13  (Contains Coronavirus Guidance)

CLAS Circular 2020 - 12  (Contains Coronavirus Guidance)

CLAS Circular 2020 - 11  (Contains Coronavirus Guidance)

CLAS Circular 2020 - 10  (Contains Coronavirus Guidance)

CLAS Circular 2020 - 09  (Contains Coronavirus Guidance)

CLAS Circular 2020 - 08  (Contains Coronavirus Guidance)

CLAS Circular 2020 - 07  (Contains Coronavirus Guidance)

CLAS Circular 2020 - 06  (Contains Coronavirus Guidance)

CLAS Circular 2020 - 05  (Contains Coronavirus Guidance)

CLAS Circular 2020 - 04  (Contains Coronavirus Guidance)

CLAS Circular 2020 - 03

CLAS Circular 2020 - 02

CLAS Circular 2020 - 01

CLAS Circular 2019 - 22

CLAS Circular 2019 - 21

CLAS Circular 2019 - 20

CLAS Circular 2019 - 19

CLAS Circular 2019 - 18

CLAS Circular 2019 - 17

CLAS Circular 2019 - 16

CLAS Circular 2019 - 15

CLAS Circular 2019 - 14

CLAS Meeting with the Law Commission Slides - 19 September 2019

CLAS Circular 2019 - 13

CLAS Circular 2019 - 12

CLAS Circular 2019 - 11

CLAS Circular 2019 - 10

CLAS Circular 2019 - 09

CLAS Emergency Planning and Related Issues - 12 June 2019

CLAS Meeting and AGM - 12 June 2019

CLAS Circular 2019 - 08

CLAS Circular 2019 - 07

CLAS Circular 2019 - 06

CLAS Circular 2019 - 05

CLAS Circular 2019 - 04

CLAS Circular 2019 - 03

CLAS Circular 2019 - 02

CLAS Circular 2019 - 01

CLAS Circular 2018 - 25

CLAS Circular 2018 - 23

CLAS Circular 2018 - 22

CLAS Circular 2018 - 21

CLAS Circular 2018 - 20

CLAS Circular 2018 - 19

CLAS Circular 2018 - 18

CLAS Circular 2018 - 17

CLAS Circular 2018 - 16

CLAS Circular 2018 - 15

CLAS Circular 2018 - 14

CLAS Circular 2018 - 13

CLAS Circular 2018 - 12

CLAS Circular 2018 - 11

CLAS Circular 2018 - 10

CLAS Circular 2018 - 09

CLAS Circular 2018 - 08

CLAS Circular 2018 - 07

CLAS Circular 2018 - 06

CLAS Circular 2018 - 05

CLAS Circular 2018 - 04

CLAS Circular 2018 - 03

CLAS Circular 2018 - 02

CLAS Circular 2018 - 01

CLAS Circular 2017 - 29

CLAS Circular 2017 - 28

CLAS Circular 2017 - 27

CLAS Circular 2017 - 26

CLAS Circular 2017 - 25

CLAS Circular 2017 - 24

CLAS Circular 2017 - 23

CLAS Circular 2017 - 22

CLAS Circular 2017 - 21

CLAS Circular 2017 - 15

CLAS Circular 2017 - 14

CLAS Circular 2017 - 13

CLAS Circular 2017 - 12

CLAS Circular 2017 - 11

CLAS Circular 2017 - 10

CLAS Circular 2017 - 09

CLAS Circular 2017 - 08

CLAS Circular 2017 - 07

CLAS Circular 2017 - 06

CLAS Circular 2017 - 05

CLAS Circular 2015 - 29

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