The Small Donations Bill, which outlines proposals for the Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme (the GASDS), has been put out for Public Reading.

This stage in the legislative process has only been trialled once before with the Protection of Freedoms Bill.

This gives the public and the charity sector another opportunity to comment on the proposals outlined for the Gift Aid Small Donations Scheme.

More details can be found: here

The findings from this public reading will be collated as part of a report for MPs before the Bill goes back to Parliament.

CFG, NCVO and CAF submitted a joint response to a consultation on the scheme earlier this year and have raised a number of potential issues with provisions in the scheme as they stand.

Concerns have been raised that the scheme is highly complex.

It could present significant disadvantage to some organisations, especially some of those that are part of a group structure that may find it difficult to access the scheme due to strict rules on eligible funds.

Caron Bradshaw, CEO at CFG said: “This is a great opportunity for the sector to make our voice heard before the Bill goes to Second Reading in September.

"I would urge any charities collecting cash donations, especially small charities and community groups working at a local level, to look at the scheme and make sure it works for them and their beneficiaries. If we want to get this scheme right for those that need it most we need to engage now.”

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