Correspondence

Charity Commission News: August 2026

Updated 5 June 2026

Applies to England and Wales

Trustee and public research findings

Our latest public and trustee research reports have been published. The findings from 2026 shows that public trust in charities remains strong, whilst one in four charities has been affected by hostility linked to social divisions. There are also updates on trustees’ understanding of their responsibilities including conflicts of interest and financial controls. Read the research and consider what the findings mean for your charity’s resilience, governance and engagement with supporters.

Charity sector risk assessment

Our latest report is out now. It aims to help the sector and trustees spot emerging risks and consider what they may mean for their own charity. This year’s report highlights increasingly complex attempts to abuse charitable status, gaps between regulatory regimes, and fast-moving risks linked to fraud, AI and safeguarding. We encourage trustees to use the report to inform board discussions, refresh risk registers and take early, proportionate action where needed.

DBS rule change for child-facing volunteers

From 1 September 2026, child-facing volunteers may need an Enhanced DBS check with a Children’s Barred List check. The change mainly applied to volunteers who directly teach, train, coach, care for or supervise children often enough to meet the regulated activity rules. This could include youth groups, sports coaching, playgroups and children’s activities. Charities should review affected roles, update safeguarding and recruitment processes, and identify any new checks needed from 1 September 2026.

Reminder: changes to account and examination thresholds

Following a public consultation last year, the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) announced changes to accounting thresholds to help reduce costs and administrative effort for smaller charities. This is a reminder that these changes will come into effect on 30 September 2026 and will apply to accounting years that end on or after 30 September 2026.

Recent news

• The Annual Return for those charities with a financial year ending in 2026, is now available. You must submit your Annual Return within 10 months of the end of your financial year.

• Do your supporters fundraise for you? We’ve teamed up with the Fundraising Regulator to publish public guidance for anyone planning to raise money for charity.

• Read the blog: Measuring public trust in charities: why the research matters

• Save the date: our Annual Public Meeting is on Thursday 15 October2026, 12:45pm - 2:00pm. Sign up to receive an online joining link or to register your interest in attending in person.