Giving to charity is a longstanding and important tradition and we welcome the public’s generosity in their support for charities.

We want to ensure that generous donations do not end up in the wrong hands. We want to make sure that charity continues to thrive and inspire trust so that people can improve lives and strengthen society.

As regulator, we want everyone to make important checks before they give, so that they feel empowered and more confident at spotting and avoiding scams.

Charity scams are small in number compared to how much is given safely, but the charity sector generates an annual income of over £76 billion making it an attractive target for criminals.

We have some simple advice for donors, such as checking the charity register, so that people can feel reassured that their donations go to their intended charitable cause.

Key advice for safer giving

• check the charity’s name and registration number. Most charities with an annual income of £5,000 or more must be registered
• make sure the charity is genuine before giving any financial information
• be careful when responding to emails or clicking on links within them
• check whether street collectors are wearing a proper ID badge and that any collection tin is sealed and undamaged
• ask the collector for more information if in doubt
• contact the charity that you’re seeking to donate to or work with to find out more about their spending
• carefully review collection bags for clothing and household goods to check whether they are from a genuine charity
• check whether fundraising materials are genuine. They should feature the charity’s name, registered number and a landline contact number check their contact details on the register
• never feel under pressure by a fundraiser into making a donation immediately
• use the same level of caution every time you support or donate to a charity

Reporting suspicious activity

After making these checks, if you think that a collection or appeal is not legitimate, report it to the police. You can also complain about a charity to us and the Fundraising Regulator.

If you think a collector does not have a licence – report it to the relevant Local Authority Licensing Team or the Metropolitan Police (if in Greater London). Also let the charity know if you can.

Reaching 2000 deaths from the current Ebola outbreak is a heart-breaking moment and it is tragic to hear that a 9 year old Congolese girl who was suffering from Ebola in Uganda has died.

My thoughts are with the families who have lost loved ones to this ruthless disease. We must stop it from devastating communities and crossing borders.

On my recent visit to an inspection post and treatment centre at the Uganda and DRC border, I saw how health workers – with UK aid support – are trying to prevent the spread of Ebola. But much more needs to be done and I urge global leaders to step up support now to end this outbreak for good.

Boris Johnson joined the mini press conference as 13 schoolchildren, aged nine to 14, were quizzing his deputy press secretary Lucia Hodgson in No10 Downing Street.

The event was designed to give wannabe hacks insight into the world of political journalism and took place on the same day the government announced £14 billion will be invested in England’s primary and secondary schools.

The children asked the Prime Minister questions on a range of topics including his job, the NHS, the environment and Brexit.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:

It was fantastic to meet such talented and articulate young journalists and answer their questions on the issues that really matter to them – the future of UK journalism is looking bright.

As we level up education funding with a giant cash boost of £14bn, we’re helping children get all the skills and opportunities they need to pursue their dream jobs as they get older.

As well as meeting the Prime Minister the schoolchildren were given a tour of Number 10 and met the building’s most famous feline resident, Larry.

Schools across England are set for a giant cash boost as the Prime Minister announces he will invest over £14 billion in primary and secondary education between now and 2022/23.

The funding package for 5-16 schools includes £2.6 billion for 2020/21, £4.8 billion for 21/22, and £7.1 billion for 22/23 compared to 19/20. This will bring the schools budget to £52.2bn in 22/23.

This delivers on the Prime Minister’s pledge when entering Downing Street to increase school funding by £4.6bn above inflation, levelling up education funding and giving all young people the same opportunities to succeed – regardless of where they grow up or go to school.

As part of this, every secondary school will receive a minimum of £5,000 per pupil next year, with every primary school getting a minimum of £4,000 from 2021/22.

The deal includes £780 million extra for children with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND) in 2020/21, so every pupil can access the education that is right for them, and none are held back from reaching their potential.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:

When I became Prime Minister at the start of the summer, I promised to make sure every child receives a superb education – regardless of which school they attend, or where they grew up.

Today I can announce the first step in delivering on that pledge – funding per pupil in primary and secondary schools will increase, and be levelled up across the entire country.

We should not accept the idea that there can be “winners or losers” when it comes to our children’s futures. That’s why we are providing additional funding now and for the future for every school, with those historically underfunded receiving the greatest increase.

My government will ensure all young people get the best possible start in life. That means the right funding, but also giving schools the powers they need to deal with bad behaviour and bullying so pupils continue to learn effectively.

The additional funding comes ahead of next week’s Spending Round, and gives schools the certainty they need to plan their budgets.

It will:

• ensure that per-pupil funding for all schools can rise at least in line with inflation
• progress the implementation of our National Funding Formula, delivering promised gains in full for areas which have been historically under-funded

Today’s funding boost comes on top of a near £1.5 billion each year to continue to fund additional pension costs for teachers.

The Chancellor Sajid Javid said:

We said our priorities were police, healthcare and education, and that’s what we are delivering at next week’s Spending Round. Because of the hard work of the British people to put our finances in order, we can now invest in their priorities.

As I know from my own experience, nothing is more important to a child’s future than their education. That’s why we are putting in place the funding that helps them realise their potential, to the benefit of us all.

Education Secretary Gavin Williamson said:

We owe it to the next generation to ensure our education system is world class, and that nothing stands in the way of our young people having the best choices in life, whatever course they take.

This £14billion funding increase – the largest cash boost in a generation – means our schools can continue to raise standards and build an education system that boosts productivity, improves social mobility and equips children with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in the bright future that lies ahead.

In addition to this package, schools will receive £4.4billion over three years to cover rising pension costs and ensure they can focus their resources on the front line.

Schools will also continue to benefit from government support to ensure they can make the most of every pound of their budgets, following the launch of the Department for Education’s School Resource Management Strategy last year.

This ranges from a free-to-use vacancy service to recruit teachers, to expert advisers who provide tailored support to individual schools that need it.

Since 2010, education standards in England have rocketed. Government reforms have seen more primary school children on track to become fluent readers, more 19-year-olds leaving education with English and Maths GCSEs, and almost one million school places created.

Gill Bragg has been appointed LLW Repository Ltd’s first ‘Menopause Champion’ and is planning a series of improvements to raise the profile of an issue that is still considered taboo in many workplaces.

Just a few days after announcing her appointment, as part of LLWR’s Mental Health and Wellbeing initiative, she was overwhelmed by the response from colleagues.

“The response has been phenomenal,” she said. “People have been contacting me left, right and centre for advice, or just for someone to initially talk to.

“We are going to form a working group and a private support network and we’re also looking into purchasing some hand fans for those who need them, as a minimum – something small but simple and effective.

“Research suggests that, by 2020, 80% of the female workforce across the UK will be going through some stage of the menopause as people as young as 30 unfortunately can commence their ‘journey’ very early.”

Gill, who is also LLWR’s Head of Internal Audit, plans to conduct a series of workshops to inform colleagues, aimed at those going through the menopause, in addition to younger people, line managers and anyone who wishes to learn more.

“We want to make sure that our risk assessments, processes and procedures support women in the workforce who are going through the menopause and reasonable adjustment made when required,” she said.

“We also want to educate the younger generation to not be afraid of something that is purely natural for all women.

“Medical professionals will also be invited in to talk about issues such as HRT and natural remedies whilst trying to dispel any myths around menopause and replace them with facts.”