The Charity Commission, the independent regulator of charities in England and Wales, has opened a statutory inquiry into Asthan Babe Ke Trust (1027792). The inquiry was opened on 11 May 2018.

The charity’s objects include advancing the Sikh religion and education, the relief of poverty, and the provision of facilities for social recreation and elderly care facilities in the region of the West Midlands and elsewhere in the United Kingdom.

The Commission has serious regulatory concerns that the charity has not been properly managed by its trustees, as a result of an internal dispute.

A regulatory compliance case was opened in 2017 after concerns were raised regarding allegations of personal benefits, unmanaged conflicts of interest, invalid appointment of trustees, undeclared income and poor financial controls. The Commission then set the charity an action plan to help the trustees resolve the dispute and issues raised which included commencing a mediation process.

The Commission is concerned about whether the trustees have sufficient oversight and control over the charity’s funds, payments and records given that the charity is seemingly controlled and administered by an executive committee who manage the charity’s cash funds.

The Commission is also concerned about the management of the charity’s freehold assets of almost £1.8m. In order to protect the charity’s assets, the Commission advised the trustees to vest its UK property in the Official Custodian. However, the trustees have so far failed to do so.

The trustees have failed to make any meaningful progress against the regulator’s action plan. As a result the Commission has opened a statutory inquiry to address its concerns.

The inquiry will examine:

• the governance, management and administration of the charity by the trustees, with particular regard to:

  • whether the trustees have exercised sufficient oversight and control of the charity, especially with regards to its assets
  • whether the trustees are willing/capable of managing the charity in accordance with its governing document
  • whether the trustees have complied with previously issued regulatory guidance; and
  • whether connected party transactions have been properly managed

It is the Commission’s policy, after it has concluded an inquiry, to publish a report detailing what issues the inquiry looked at, what actions were undertaken as part of the inquiry and what the outcomes were. Reports of previous inquiries by the Commission are available on GOV.UK.

Notes to editors

1. The Charity Commission is the regulator of charities in England and Wales. To find out more about our work see the about us page on GOV.UK.
2. Search for charities on our check charity tool.
3. Section 46 of the Charities Act 2011 gives the Commission the power to institute inquiries. The opening of an inquiry gives the commission access to a range of investigative, protective and remedial legal powers.

A national Windrush Day backed by new government funding will take place on 22 June every year, encouraging communities across the country to celebrate the contribution of the Windrush Generation and their descendants, Communities Minister Lord Bourne announced today (18 June 2018).

The event will be overseen by a body of British Caribbean representatives and a Windrush Day grant of up to £500,000 will be available each year to charities and communities seeking to hold commemorative and educational events.

The British Caribbean community have been consulted widely to ensure the legacy and contribution of the Windrush Generation and their descendants is recognised and celebrated.

The announcement comes as the nation prepares for a range of Windrush 70 activities to commemorate the arrival of the Empire Windrush at Tilbury Docks. A National Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey on 22 June 2018 will form the centrepiece of events.

Communities Minister Lord Bourne said:

A Windrush Day will allow communities up and down the country to recognise and honour the enormous contribution of those who stepped ashore at Tilbury Docks 70 years ago. It will keep their legacy alive for future generations, ensuring that we all celebrate the diversity of Britain’s history.

It is a truly proud moment as we start a week of exciting Windrush 70 events, headed by a National Service at Westminster Abbey, to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Windrush.

70 years ago on 22 June 1948 the Empire Windrush landed at Tilbury Docks, Essex. The arrival of 492 passengers from the Caribbean marked a seminal moment in Britain’s history, and has come to stand for the rich diversity of this nation.

The Windrush Generation made a huge contribution to rebuilding the country following the war and their settlement and their descendants have continued to enrich social, economic, political and religious life.

Windrush Foundation Director Arthur Torrington said:

The announcement of a national Windrush Day is a moment of great satisfaction. It will cement in the national consciousness the important contribution of those who travelled from the Caribbean to Britain 70 years ago to build a better life and participate in making Britain a stronger nation.

Their legacy has lived on in their children and grandchildren and the communities they have built across the country. For years to come, Windrush Day will bring people together to celebrate this vital part of our shared history and heritage.

Churches Together Dr Joe Aldred said:

The national service at Westminster Abbey to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the arrival of Empire Windrush marks a hugely important moment for the nation.

Over successive generations the British Caribbean community has shown resilience and contributed so much to British life. Windrush 70 will honour this contribution and the hugely positive impact the Windrush Generation and their descendants have had to make this country stronger.

Lambeth Councillor Sonia Winifred said:

Windrush 70 is not just a commemoration of the long journey made by several hundred people but recognition of their legacy which has changed all our lives – culturally, socially, economically and politically. As the Windrush 70 logo says, it’s part of our DNA and nowhere more so than Lambeth.

Confirmation of the annual event forms part of the Windrush 70 campaign that will see celebratory activities including dance performances, exhibitions and debates continue throughout the year.

The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government is funding a number of events, including the following:

• National Service of Thanksgiving at Westminster Abbey
• AGE UK Windrush 70 tea party hosted by Lambeth Council
• Phoenix Dance Company performance of Windrush: Movement of the People at Lambeth Town Hall
• Commemorative ‘platinum’ pin badges designed by Brixton-based design group Champion Agency to be distributed at key Windrush 70 events throughout the country

www.windrush70.org will list a range of events taking place up and down the country.

Under new government regulations published today, trustees will be required to produce a policy which includes an assessment of the sustainability of their investment decisions.

This policy will need to be available to members so that they can make their own assessment of efforts to combat various risks, including climate change, poor corporate governance and socially harmful practices.

The government is bringing forward reforms to take account of how people put their values at the heart of the things they choose to buy, the places they live and visit, and the jobs they do. They care about the impact that their choices have on our environment and humankind.

Under these proposals pension scheme members will be able to see how their money is being put to work, and to make their views heard. Defined contribution schemes will need to make this policy available to the wider public. More than £1.5 trillion is invested by occupational pension schemes on behalf of millions of savers across the UK and an additional £40 billion was invested in 2016/17 and under automatic enrolment.

With more and more young people saving into a workplace pension – 77% of eligible 22 to 29 year olds working in the private sector are now enrolled in a workplace pension – it is important that their views are reflected in the investment decisions made on their behalf.

Rt Hon Esther McVey, Secretary of State for Work and Pensions said:

These new regulations will empower savers all over Britain, ensuring that their voices are heard when their savings are invested.

As we see the younger generation who care more about where their money is going, they are also increasingly questioning that their pensions are invested in a way that aligns with their values. This money can now be used to build a more sustainable, fairer and equal society for future generations.

Minister for Sport and Civil Society, Tracey Crouch said:

This is an exciting opportunity for social impact investment, giving pensions trustees a chance to have a resoundingly positive effect on the global issues that matter to savers.

Consultation

Read the consultation on clarifying and strengthening investment duties of pension trustees.

Final response to the Law Commission’s report

Read the government’s final response to the Law Commission’s report: Pension funds and social investment.

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Seven industry-led projects will receive a share of £2 million to develop proposals for advanced fuels production plants, as part of the government’s drive to reduce carbon emissions.

Proposals include the production of aircraft jet fuel from steel mill waste gases, and a project exploring the use of waste wood to produce a synthetic natural gas for HGVs.

This is part of the Future Fuels for Flight and Freight Competition, which was launched in April 2017 to encourage private sector investment in the development of advanced fuel production facilities in the UK.

Biofuels Minister Jesse Norman said:

We are committed to reducing carbon emissions from transport to tackle climate change and make the sector as sustainable as possible.

The £22 million funding commitment made through this competition will enable the development of this important set of technologies, paving the way for cleaner growth in the UK.

Supporting projects like these is just part of our work to help ensure the UK transport sector is greener than ever.

The aims of the competition are to:

• increase domestic production of advanced low carbon fuels capable of reducing emissions from the aviation and HGV sectors
• stimulate investment and create jobs through the development of a prosperous domestic industry

The successful bids are:

Applicants that receive Stage 1 funding will be invited to apply for a share of a further £20 million Stage 2 funding to help with construction. The Stage 2 assessment will take place in December 2018 and the successful applicants will be announced in early 2019.

Further information about the successful stage 1 applicants and the competition.