Civil Society Minister Baroness Barran has hailed the “invaluable” role of Britain’s charities in the nation’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic and urged the public to “support them however they can”, as she announced that public fundraising will be permitted to return from Monday 12 April, as part of the next phase of the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown.

The move will mean that fundraisers across the country will be able to connect with people through door-to-door, street and private site fundraising, in line with Government guidance.

Whilst charities have been able to raise funds throughout the pandemic by finding ways to connect with people during lockdown, this will act as an important income stream.

Today marks one year on since the Government announced an unprecedented £750 million package of financial support for charities and social enterprises, enabling them to continue their vital work throughout the coronavirus pandemic.

Over the past year, the Government’s package has supported vulnerable people and provided key services to over 15,000 organisations.

Grants have been awarded to larger charities such as St Johns Ambulance, NSPCC, Age UK, Barnardo’s and the British Red Cross, as well as thousands of smaller organisations helping vulnerable people up and down the country, including those with disabilities, young people and victims of domestic abuse.

Baroness Barran marked the milestone with a visit to Mentoring Plus, a Bath-based charity which supports vulnerable young people aged 7 to 21 facing challenges through mentoring schemes via trained volunteers, youth clubs, projects and inspiring activities programmes. Many of the young people there have been impacted by physical isolation during the pandemic.

Over £10,000 in Government funding is helping to meet increased demand for its 1:1 mentoring services, ensuring no-one is left behind as a result of the pandemic, as well as adapting its ongoing services.

Minister for Civil Society and Youth, Baroness Barran, said:

Our charities have played an invaluable role in the national effort against coronavirus. From supporting those suffering with poor mental health, to providing activities for young people and tackling loneliness, they have responded to the impact of coronavirus on vulnerable people and continue to relieve the pressure on our NHS.

That’s why we have provided unprecedented financial support, which has helped tens of thousands of people across the country, and we continue to work closely with the sector to understand where pressures are being felt.

As we move out of lockdown and public fundraising is permitted from next week, it’s important to remember that many people still rely on the vital work our charities do. I’d like to thank the public for their continued generosity in supporting charitable causes both with time and donations.

Mentoring Plus Chief Executive Ruth Keily said:

We were fortunate to receive funding from the National Lottery Community Covid Funding last year – a challenging year when our work was in high demand and our funding unpredictable. This funding enabled us to continue to support young people and deliver ‘recovery mentoring’ when their lives were disrupted.

We are proud to have been able to provide consistent support to local young people during challenging times and giving them their best chance of hope and happiness. We are delighted to host the Minister, Baroness Barran during our Easter holiday activities – where young people can come together and have fun, something they have missed out on and is key to our values

Peter Lewis, Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising, said:

“The generosity of the British public in giving to charities large and small to maintain vital services through the pandemic has been simply astonishing. However many forms of fundraising, as well as opportunities to give, take part in fundraising events, and participate in the work of charities, have had to be put on hold due to the lockdown.

We are delighted that from 12th April charities in England will once again be able to have conversations on the doorstep or the street about your favourite cause. As further stages of lockdown ease we look forward to charities being able to plan further fundraising events, bringing people together safely and offering opportunities to once again join coffee mornings and fetes, as well as concerts and larger participation events, which all contribute to making the world a better place.

Lord Toby Harris, Chair of the Fundraising Regulator, said:

The announcement that public fundraising activities can resume as we enter step 2 of the Coronavirus roadmap will be welcomed by the charity fundraising sector. Door-to-door, street and private site fundraising are all essential means of generating vital funds for so many organisations that support our communities across the UK.

On 12 April, the Fundraising Regulator and Chartered Institute of Fundraising will be publishing updated guidance to support fundraising organisations as they resume public fundraising activities. The updated guidance will provide information in line with the latest Government advice. Fundraising organisations are strongly advised to review and follow this updated guidance when planning their public fundraising activities.

It is important that public fundraising activities should only take place once a thorough risk assessment has been carried out, so that the safety and wellbeing of staff, volunteers and members of the public are protected. All fundraising should continue to follow the standards as set out in the Code of Fundraising Practice.

Notes to editors:

The £750 million funding includes:

• £200 million that was delivered through the Coronavirus Community Support Fund, reaching more than 8,000 charities across every region in England.
• £160 million allocated by central government departments to charities in England, both to support key public services and reach and provide much needed income to charities working in areas such as mental health and homelessness.
• £85 million provided through the Community Match Challenge.
• £37 million in match funding through the generous public donations to the BBC Big Night In.
• £7.5 million provided to help tackle loneliness over the very difficult winter period.
• £16.5 million for youth organisations

Children with special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) or requiring alternative provision in England will benefit from a £280 million investment, the government has announced today (09 April).

Councils will receive the funding to create new places in schools, academies, colleges and early years settings. The funding will improve existing provision to create modern, fit-for-purpose spaces suited to a wider range of pupil needs. This could be by contributing to the cost of creating a whole new special school, or by improving accessibility, such as installing ramps, handrails or ceiling hoists.

The funding is part of the government’s commitment to ensuring pupils with SEND receive the specialist support they need to get an excellent education.

Minister for the School System Baroness Berridge said:

It is so important that all children and young people, whatever their background, are able to attend a good school that helps them thrive and gives them the building blocks they need to go on to fulfil their potential.

For pupils with more complex needs or disabilities, it is especially important that the right facilities and support are in place at whatever school they attend, so they can learn in a modern, adaptable environment.

This funding will help councils provide targeted support to level up outcomes for some of their most vulnerable pupils.

The allocations announced today build on the government’s continued investment in the Free Schools programme. 59 special and 49 Alternative Provision free schools have already opened across the country since 2010, and more than 80 specialist settings or alternative provision projects are set to open in the coming years.

The investment, which represents a significant single-year increase in high needs capital investment, follows £365 million allocated through the Special Provision Capital Fund to create places and improve facilities for pupils with SEND across 2018 to 2021.

Children and Families Minister Vicky Ford said:

Every child or young person with SEND should go to school feeling confident that they will get the tailored support they need at school, and every teacher should be equipped with the right facilities to teach those pupils.

We have already increased the high needs budget by nearly a quarter over the past two years. This additional investment will enable local authorities to invest more in creating excellent school places or enhancing existing provision so that pupils with additional needs and disabilities get the same opportunities as any other.

The funding adds to the Government’s programme of work to level up outcomes, including the ongoing SEND Review which is looking at ways to make sure the system is consistent, high-quality and integrated across education, health and care.

The funding is for the financial year 2021-22, to support the provision of high needs places needed by September 2022. Up to an additional £20 million will be used to support High Needs capital projects in a small number of the local authorities facing the highest Dedicated Schools Grant deficits.

Professor Adam Boddison, Chief Executive of NASEN, said:

Given the growing demand for high-quality specialist provision, this increase in high needs funding is a welcome investment. I hope that Local Authorities will work in partnership with schools, specialist settings and families so that this funding is targeted to secure long term benefits for learners with SEND.

Graham Olway MBE, National Chairman of the Education Building Development Officers Group, said:

We welcome this announcement of extra High Needs funding to help support the work of local authorities in meeting the needs of children with a range of needs in schools. The funding allows more opportunities and projects to be fulfilled in an area of growing need for local authorities.

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Allan Kenneth Barke (34), of Stockport, appeared at Chester Crown Court before HHJ Everett on 1 April where he was banned from acting as a company director for 8 years.

The court heard that Allan Barke had been director of Cheshire Fitted Furniture Limited from its incorporation in November 2014 until September 2015.

The furniture company traded until April 2016 when it was wound up and went into voluntary liquidation.

Cheshire Fitted Furniture’s liquidation, however, triggered an investigation by the Insolvency Service, which found that Allan Barke had been declared bankrupt in September 2015 following a petition by the liquidators of AB Joinery (Stockport) Limited, a previous company he was director of.

As part of his bankruptcy, Allan Barke was banned from acting as a company director and after Cheshire Fitted Furniture Limited went into liquidation, the furniture maker was not allowed to form a company with a similar name.

The investigation, however, found Allan Barke had breached his restrictions when it was uncovered in June 2016, the furniture maker was trading under a company using the name CFF Joinery & Furniture, a name prohibited under the terms of the liquidation.

He had also continued to act as sole director for the new company, CFF Joinery & Furniture, after being declared bankrupt, the court heard.

Allan Barke was charged with one count of acting as the director of Cheshire Fitted Furniture Limited when he was disqualified from doing so due to bankruptcy and one count of continuing to use a proscribed company name after the business entered liquidation in April 2016.

He pleaded guilty to both counts at Stockport Magistrates Court in January 2021. He was also given a 22 month prison sentence suspended for 2 years for a further 22 fraud offences separate following an investigation by Cheshire Police.

The 8-year ban means he cannot directly or indirectly become involved, without the permission of the court, in the promotion, formation or management of a company.

Julie Barnes, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said:

Allan Barke would have known he was banned from running a company, especially one with a similar sounding name to the company wound-up. The furniture maker, however, flagrantly breached his ban when he started a new company offering similar services.

Throughout our investigation and the court process, Allan Barke has been uncooperative but this ban handed down by the court will remove him from the business environment for a significant period.

Allan Kenneth Barke is of Stockport and his date of birth is May 1986.

Company: Cheshire Fitted Furniture Limited (CFFL), company number 09323944.

The sentence result was announced at Chester Crown Court by Judge Everett.

Disqualification undertakings are the administrative equivalent of a disqualification order but do not involve court proceedings.

Persons subject to a disqualification order are bound by a range of other restrictions.

Further information about the work of the Insolvency Service, and how to complain about financial misconduct.

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