This month’s policy roundup aims to give you a taste into what the policy and influencing team has been up to over the past month. We’ll bring you our latest updates and keep you informed of anything happening on the horizon.
By Shareen Patel, policy and influencing officer
ACEVO CEO responds to spring statement
ACEVO CEO, Jane Ide responded to the spring statement, saying “The fiscal choices made by the Chancellor are, by nature, decisions within the government’s remit […] The latest measures announced … which include deep cuts to welfare spending, will have a profound effect on the daily lives of millions of the poorest and already marginalised individuals in our society. Coupled with the forthcoming increases in National Insurance contributions, these policies will both heighten demand for services and reduce capacity of civil society organisations to meet that demand both in the short and long term … It is essential that civil society sector leaders have a genuine opportunity to influence the way decisions are made and implemented in a way that does not further exacerbate inequalities and that meets the government’s stated commitment to work in partnership.”
Home Truths 2
We have published the latest resource from Home Truths 2, the Anti-Racism Companion Journal which is drawn from the five-part thematic Race Equity Series (RES). It offers insights on vital topics that can advance anti-racism and race equity in civil society and beyond. The Journal is designed to help if you want to develop your own practice on anti-racism and race equity as well as that of your organisation and those you work with. It offers some space for you to reflect on each of the RES themes and how you might spark powerful action in your institutional settings. You can catch up on the LinkedIn Live to learn more about the journal and catch-up on the five RES events.
Charity CEO pay
Charity Finance has published its 2025 Charity Chief Executive Survey. The median annual salary for chief executives at the UK’s largest 100 charities has risen to £192,000. The previous survey in 2023 found that the top charity CEOs received a median salary of £175,000, up from £170,000 in 2021 and £155,000 in 2019. The survey also revealed that the top jobs at the largest charities continue to be dominated by men, unlike the sector more broadly.
For further insights on CEO pay and leadership diversity, ACEVO’s annual Pay and Equalities Survey offers an analysis of pay trends across the charity sector. It also delves into a variety of other areas such as working benefits, holidays and unpaid hours, experience of barriers/discrimination, CEO satisfaction with board diversity, CEO educational and professional backgrounds, clarity of role and development plans, appraisal and feedback exchanges, wellbeing and work-life balance, job satisfaction, succession planning, structural change and charity regulation. If you haven’t already, purchase the 2024 report to read more. We’re working on preparing the survey for the 2025 edition and hope to be able to launch fieldwork in May.
Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper consultation
The Government has published its Pathways to Work: Reforming Benefits and Support to Get Britain Working Green Paper consultation. It sets out plans and proposals to reform health and disability benefits and employment support. The consultation closes at 11:59pm on 30 June 2025. Disability Rights UK has published a summary of the headline proposed social security benefit reforms saying that the resulting £5bn “savings” will be the biggest cuts to disability benefits on record penalising Disabled people and increasing the number in poverty.
On the horizon
ACEVO has published its new strategy, effective from 1 April 2025. Read more about our strategic priorities. Our renewed influencing priorities are: support and advocate for effective relationship between government and civil society, support and advocate for good, effective, fit for purpose regulation, take a thought leadership role in ensuring the right governance models for the future, maintain commitment and advocacy for protection of civil space / sector’s rights to campaign and challenge, inform excellence in governance practice, inspire excellence in CEO employment practice, encourage the recruitment and support of diverse civil society..
The Employment Rights Bill is currently making its way through Parliament, with its 2nd reading in the Lords scheduled to take place today. Bates Wells has posted a useful update to read.
The policy and influencing team is ready to support you. Reach out anytime at policy@acevo.org.uk – we’re here to help!
