The charity sector has a great opportunity to reform Gift Aid and maximise donations if it speaks to the next government as a combined force, a new report argues. ‘Give and Let Give’, written by research consultancy nfpSynergy, evaluates Gift Aid since its inception in 1990 and argues changes are needed as it has become too complicated and bureaucratic, particularly for the small charities it was specifically set up to help.

Finding information on charity expenditure can take more than three times as long as making a donation or getting details of their services, a new report suggests. ‘Searching for Answers’, published by research consultancy nfpSynergy, also shows that success and impact stories were easy to find and transparency levels do not seem to be affected by a charity’s size.

Charities spend the bulk of their budget on direct mail, with it representing over two thirds of their spending at an average of 69% since 2006. In 2013, charities spent £238.

4 in 5 Conservatives happy for charities to provide frontline servicesHalf of MPs (47%) think it is ‘unacceptable’ for charities to pay some staff over £100k a year, while a third (35%) are in favourA survey of 480 charity staff showed 38% of them were also against it, with 47% in favour13% of MPs are happy with charities paying staff over £200k a year, with three quarters opposed (77%).

5 in 6 Labour MPs disagree as politicians split on charities in politicsJust 42% of Conservative MPs think it is acceptable for charities to challenge government policy, with 39% against the ideaOnly 37% of them feel charities should challenge the policies of political parties, with 46% opposed.